Business
Flydubai resumes flights to Afghanistan after two years
UAE-based carrier Flydubai resumed flights to Afghanistan on Wednesday, two years after the international airline stopped flying to the country.
“The initiation of Flydubai flights to Kabul is indicative of the restoration of Afghanistan’s airspace to a secure and conventional state, accommodating various types of flights,” said a statement from the office of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
“It shows that all airports in Afghanistan are now equipped to deliver requisite facilities and adhere to standard services,” it added.
“This reestablishment of air connectivity with Flydubai signifies a milestone in revitalizing healthy competition among airlines, contributing to the equitable determination of airfare prices,” it said.
Officials of the Ministry of Transport say that other airlines such as Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways and Turkish Airlines are also expected to resume their flights to Afghanistan in the near future.
“Capacity has been created for international flights at all airports in the country, and with the arrival of Flydubai, other foreign companies will also start their flights to the country,” Abdul Sattar Gharwal, General Director of Airports, said.
“Flydubai has made its flight, and other companies will also start their flights to Afghanistan,” said Imamuddin Ahmadi, the spokesman of the Ministry of Transport.
The Association of Afghan Businessmen in the United Arab Emirates says that Flydubai flights will expand the economic relations between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. According to members, next month the number of flights of this company will increase to four flights a day.
“Initially, there will be two flights a day, then three flights, and next month, four flights a day, and with that, the country’s fresh fruit will be exported to the United Arab Emirates,” Obaidullah Sadrakhel, head of the Association of Afghan Businessmen in the United Arab Emirates, said.
Passengers say that the price of a one-way ticket between Dubai and Afghanistan has decreased by fifty percent.
“We are very happy that Flydubai returned. Compared to domestic companies, the tickets are 50 percent cheaper,” Azizullah, one passenger said.
According to officials of the Ministry of Transport, Ariana Airlines, Kam Air, PIA, Mahan Airlines, Taban Airlines, Kish Air and Qatar Airways are currently flying to Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials have announced that consultations are underway with stakeholders on preferential trade agreements with Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.
According to Dawn newspaper, the issue was announced on Friday in a meeting on trade chaired by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
In the meeting, the strict monitoring of Afghan Transit Trade was also emphasized.
Pakistani officials have not provided further details on preferential trade with Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi has said that talks with neighboring countries have started for the export of fresh fruit this year.
Azizi added that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce wants the country’s fresh fruit to be exported to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran in addition to Pakistan.
Members of the private sector call on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to step up efforts to find new markets for Afghan exporters.
“We ask the authorities to determine the export routes before the harvesting season. We should find new markets instead of Pakistan. There is capacity for Afghanistan’s exports in the region, and action should be taken in this regard,” said Mirwais Hajizada, the deputy of Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock.
Economic experts say that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce should hold talks with Iran and Uzbekistan in addition to Pakistan for Afghanistan’s exports.
“There are many opportunities to sell our products in markets other than Pakistan. I hope the authorities will think about this. Grounds should be paved to access the markets of South Asia and the Gulf countries through Iran, and the markets of Central Asia through Uzbekistan,” said Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic expert.
Members of the private sector say that although Pakistan is the closest and largest market for Afghanistan’s dry and fresh fruits, doing business with it has always been challenging.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to early implementation of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railways project which will boost trade within the region.
In a statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign office after a meeting in Islamabad between visiting Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, the project “would give boost to bilateral and regional trade and become a bridge between South and Central Asia.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met with Saidov and emphasized the importance of the railway project and Pakistan’s commitment to its early completion.
Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan had in February 2021 agreed to build a railway line across Afghanistan to connect Central Asia with Pakistani ports at an estimated cost of $4.8bn.
The railway project, spanning 760 kms, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, with the capability to transport up to 15 million tonnes of goods annually by 2030.
This rail link will notably decrease cargo delivery time between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by around five days, while also slashing transportation costs by at least 40 percent.
Pakistan: Consultations underway on preferential trade agreement with Afghanistan
WFP says it can only support 1 in every 3 malnourished children across Afghanistan
UN General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership
Kuwait’s Emir dissolves parliament, suspends some constitution articles
Sorkh Poshan Khafi and Sarsabz Yashlar win in ACL matches
Indian foreign ministry advises against travel to Iran, Israel
Commerce ministry inks 10 MoUs to boost development of small and medium-sized businesses
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
Rashid Khan named AWCC’s brand ambassador
Afghanistan announce T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Tahawol: Efforts to improve diplomatic ties with world discussed
Saar: US’s criticism over Israel’s attack on Rafah city discussed
Tahawol: Pakistan Army claim refusal discussed
Saar: UN delegation trip to Kabul discussed
Tahawol: Israeli attack on Rafah city discussed
-
Business4 days agoTurkmenistan’s industrialists keen to buy Herat-made construction material
-
Latest News5 days agoIranian official: Only vulnerable points of Afghanistan’s border will be walled and fenced
-
World5 days agoHamas says it accepts ceasefire proposal of Egypt, Qatar
-
Sport4 days agoAttack Energy thrash Jawanan Wahedi 7-0; Aino Mina 3-1 Khadim
-
World3 days agoUS believes Hamas, Israel can break Gaza ceasefire impasse; Israeli forces cut Rafah aid route
-
Latest News4 days agoKazakhstan Trade House opens in Afghanistan’s Herat province
-
Latest News4 days agoSouthern Afghanistan records one of wettest Aprils in 40 years
-
World4 days agoGaza ceasefire uncertain, Israel vows to continue Rafah operation