Business
American delegation attends Afghan trade conference in Kabul
The Islamic Emirate will provide necessary facilities for domestic and foreign investors for the purpose of economic development and will give them their full support, the economic deputy of the prime minister said at the Afghanistan Trade and Economic Relations 2023 Conference in Kabul.
“We have provided investment opportunities to foreign investors in addition to domestic investors, and electricity has been provided for the country’s industries as far as possible, and efforts are still being made to develop electricity for the country’s industry,” said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
Members of an American trade delegation who participated at the conference say they are working to release the country’s frozen assets and to get sanctions on sanctions on the Afghan banking system lifted.
According to them, security in Afghanistan has been restored, which will provide the opportunity for foreign investment.
This is the first time an American trade delegation has visited the country since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s takeover.
“We are ready to cooperate with the private sector of Afghanistan, especially in the sectors that have problems, we want discussions on different economic sectors. Afghanistan is now ready for investment and we want to do joint work. We saw the situation closely today and understood the realities of Afghanistan,” said Jeff Grieco, President and CEO of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce.
Baradar meanwhile said that under Islamic Emirate rule in Afghanistan, the economy was seriously threatened, but that it is now improving. According to Baradar, in the past two years, administrative corruption has been eliminated, the cultivation and production of narcotics has been stamped out, and the Afghan currency has remained stable against foreign currencies.
“Islamic Emirate has provided all the necessary facilities for domestic and foreign investors and we fully support them, so they can be assured that their problems have been addressed on time,” said Mullah Baradar.
A number of Afghan investors, who attended the conference, said a lot of work has been done to attract investment in Afghanistan – and now, more than ever before, the opportunity to invest in the country has been provided.
“Our request to the American trade delegation is to present the real picture of Afghanistan to the people and the American government,” said Obaidullah Sader Khail, head of Afghan Business Council in the UAE.
After the US and NATO withdrawal from the country, and the collapse of the former government, the US froze Afghanistan’s foreign reserves that totalled about $7 billion. Sanctions were also imposed on the country’s banking system.
Business
Pakistan’s kinno exports falter as tensions with Afghanistan continue
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.
Business
Pezeshkian pledges to facilitate Iran-Afghanistan trade
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran will facilitate trade and economic exchanges with Afghanistan, including easing procedures at customs and local marketplaces.
He made the remarks during a televised interview following his visit to South Khorasan province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.
Pezeshkian, in a separate event addressing local business leaders, highlighted the province’s strategic advantages, citing its rich mineral resources, proximity to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, and access to the ocean via the Chabahar port. He described the region as “a golden opportunity not found everywhere,” emphasizing its potential for economic growth and cross-border commerce.
Business
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