Afghanistan’s first aluminum can manufacturing plant was officially launched on Thursday in Herat province, marking a significant step toward industrial development and economic self-reliance.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, laid the foundation stone of the “Pamir” aluminum can production company at the industrial parks of Herat on Thursday.

According to officials, the Pamir factory is the first of its kind in Afghanistan and is being established with an investment of $120 million. The project will be built on 16 jeribs of land within Herat’s industrial zones.

Once completed, the factory is expected to create employment opportunities for around 1,700 Afghan citizens. Officials say the project will play a key role in boosting domestic production, reducing reliance on imports, and strengthening the national economy.

Authorities described the launch of the project as a clear sign of growing investment in the industrial sector and ongoing efforts to promote economic self-sufficiency in the country.

Russia has expressed strong interest in constructing a railway through Afghanistan as part of broader efforts to strengthen transport and trade links with countries in the Global South, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said.

Speaking to Russia 24 television, Overchuk noted that expanding connectivity with southern markets would help diversify Russia’s transport and logistics routes. He said various options for building a railway across Afghan territory are currently under discussion, with a focus on both western and eastern corridors.

Overchuk added that Russian specialists are actively studying the feasibility of the project and are involved in technical consultations related to the proposed railway.

His remarks follow earlier statements by Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, who said last year that Russia and Uzbekistan were jointly preparing a feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan railway, aimed at developing international transport corridors.

Subsequently, the transport ministers of Russia and Uzbekistan signed agreements to move into the development phase of the Trans-Afghan railway project, which is expected to extend southward to Pakistan.

Uzbekistan, which already has a direct rail connection with Afghanistan, has positioned itself as a regional logistics hub linking Russia, Central Asia and South Asia.

In November 2024, during a visit to Kabul, Overchuk told officials of the Islamic Emirate that Moscow was keen to participate in the Trans-Afghan railway project, describing it as a key initiative to enhance connectivity across Central Asia and the broader Eurasian region.

Pakistan’s kinno exports remain far below potential as regional tensions, high freight costs and weak government support continue to choke the citrus trade.

Despite being a leading global citrus producer, Pakistan is expected to export just 400,000–450,000 tonnes of kinno in the 2025–26 season, compared with an estimated capacity of 700,000–800,000 tonnes.

Exports in 2024–25 stood at around 350,000–400,000 tonnes, mainly to Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Central Asia. While better fruit quality this season has raised hopes, persistent crossing disruptions—especially with Afghanistan—and transport bottlenecks have offset gains.

Growers say prices have collapsed sharply, forcing panic sales. Rates for large kinno have fallen from over Rs120 per kg early in the season to as low as Rs75, while smaller fruit is selling for Rs35–40 per kg amid weak demand.

Industry leaders warn the crisis is crippling processing units and jobs. More than 100 factories reportedly failed to open this season, with dozens more shutting down as exports stall. Cold storages in Sargodha are nearly full, putting fruit worth millions of dollars at risk of spoilage, while growers fear losses of up to Rs10 billion.

Exporters are urging the government to urgently resolve issues, subsidise logistics, and help access alternative markets, warning that prolonged inaction could devastate farmers, workers and the wider economy.