Exports to Pakistan, Uzbekistan decline

KABUL and Uzbekistan declined by 33 percent over the past two years due to a variety of problems, an official said on Saturday.

Hundreds of Afghan containers loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables could not reach Pakistan last year because of massive floods in the neighbouring country.

Other factors, including bribes sought Afghan security officials and visa problems, contributed to the fall in exports, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries chief said.

Mohammad Qurban Haqjo told a press conference in Kabul foreign countries were reluctant to issue visas to Afghans as most of them did not return to their homeland.

High prices of Afghan goods were another problem, he said, adding last year’s torrential rains had affected fruit gardens in the landlocked country. The situation led to decreased exports of fruits.

If the current situation persisted, Afghanistan could turn into a consumer country, Haqjo warned, asking the government should to take action against the officials seeking extortions from traders, besides improving security on trade routes.

Afghanistanexports grains, dried and fresh fruits, vegetables, hides and medicinal plants, precious and semi-precious stones to 32 countries.

ma/mud

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