Business

Afghanistan–India bilateral trade over $1 billion in 2024-25 fiscal

India has reaffirmed its role as Afghanistan’s top export destination, a position driven largely by imports of agricultural products, including dried fruits, nuts, and medicinal herbs.

Published

10 months ago

June 30, 2025

Ariana News

Bilateral trade between Afghanistan and India surged past $1 billion in the financial year 2024–25, underscoring resilient economic ties amid regional instability and humanitarian challenges.

According to figures released by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, total trade between the two countries totaled $1.0087 billion between April 2024 and March 2025.
Imports from Afghanistan stood at $689.81 million—marking a 7.4% year-on-year increase—while Indian exports totaled $318.91 million.

India has reaffirmed its role as Afghanistan’s top export destination, a position driven largely by imports of agricultural products, including dried fruits, nuts, and medicinal herbs.
Trade analysts credit India’s zero-tariff regime on Afghan goods as a critical factor enabling continued access to the Indian market, particularly for small-scale Afghan producers.

This preferential trade access is proving to be a lifeline for Afghanistan’s agricultural sector, with many farmers reportedly shifting from illicit opium cultivation to alternative crops supported by reliable demand from Indian buyers.
However, experts caution that the long-term success of such transitions depends on access to quality inputs, fair pricing mechanisms, and sustained institutional support.

The country remains gripped by a deepening humanitarian crisis exacerbated by mass deportations of Afghan refugees from neighboring Pakistan and Iran. The growing pressure on already limited resources is impeding both economic recovery and broader development efforts.

Despite these challenges, the expanding trade relationship with India represents a rare economic bright spot for Afghanistan.
Observers suggest it could serve as a foundation for broader regional cooperation.

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Business

Kazakhstan grain exports to Afghanistan jump sharply

Shipments to Afghanistan reached 302,000 tons during the period, marking a 4.2-fold increase compared to the same timeframe last year.

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Ariana News

Grain exports from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan surged more than fourfold in the first quarter of 2026, according to a report by Kazinform International News Agency.

Shipments to Afghanistan reached 302,000 tonnes during the period, marking a 4.2-fold increase compared to the same timeframe last year.

Kazakhstan’s overall grain exports also recorded solid growth, rising 18 percent to 3.2 million tonnes. Domestic grain shipments increased by 8 percent, totaling 0.9 million tonnes.

Looking ahead, Kazakhstan plans to expand its agricultural processing capacity, with new grain facilities expected to handle a combined 5.8 million tonnes annually by 2028.

Business

Afghan economic commission approves 12 major development projects across key sectors

In the infrastructure sector, projects include connecting the eastern Kandahar substation to the new central substation in Tarinkot, as well as a major electricity transmission project from Kajaki dam to New Tarinkot.

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2026

Ariana News

The Economic Deputy Office of the Prime Minister says 12 major development projects have been approved in the latest meeting of the Economic Commission and referred to relevant departments for implementation.

According to the statement, the approved projects include the transfer of imported electricity to the province of Paktika, construction of a double-circuit transmission line from Ghazni, completion of remaining substation works, and expansion of the national power network.

The package also includes extension of electricity lines from the Nurul-Jihad substation to the provinces of Herat, Farah, and Nimroz, as well as supplying electricity to Seydan village in the Grishk district of Helmand.

Other approved projects include irrigation schemes in Faryab, upgrading and activating the 350-bed Aino Mina hospital in Kandahar, construction of a grand mosque with a capacity of 40,000 worshippers in Nimroz, and expansion of the Torghundi–Herat and Andkhoy–Shiberghan–Mazar-i-Sharif railway lines.

Officials say these projects aim to strengthen infrastructure, improve public services, and support economic growth across the country.

Business

Afghanistan, Iran sign 23-point MoU to expand border trade

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2026

Ariana News

Local authorities in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province say a 23-point memorandum of understanding (MOU has been signed with Afghan officials following a recent visit by an Iranian delegation to Nimroz, aimed at deepening economic cooperation and boosting cross-border trade.

Mojib Hassani, Deputy for Economic Coordination and Regional Development in Sistan and Baluchestan, said the visit produced significant outcomes, particularly in expanding small-scale trade, activating border markets, and strengthening bilateral economic ties, IRNA news agency reported.

He noted that Iran is fully prepared to launch local border markets in Shahgol, Milak, and Gomshad, but implementation will depend on readiness from the Afghan side. According to Hassani, the necessary infrastructure has already been completed on Iran’s side of the border.

Trade through official crossings remains ongoing, he said, with livestock imports among the key commodities exchanged—especially ahead of Eid al-Adha, when demand typically rises.

Hassani added that the 23-point framework was developed following the Afghan Minister of Commerce’s visit to Iran, with a strong focus on improving and expanding infrastructure to facilitate trade.

Among the early outcomes of the agreement is the construction of a temporary road linking two border markets, completed within a short timeframe and already contributing to increased trade flows.

He also confirmed Iran’s readiness to build a second border bridge, noting that some equipment has already been deployed. However, further progress on the project—currently around 30 percent complete—will require coordination with Afghan authorities.

Plans are also underway to install an X-ray scanning system at the border, with the process accelerated and expected to be finalized by the end of Jawza (June).

In addition, Hassani said broader infrastructure projects, including road expansion and rail development in the region, are being considered, though they will take time to implement.

He further highlighted efforts in Iran’s Chabahar Free Zone to facilitate Afghan traders, including the development of commercial storage facilities and the allocation of land for business use.

Iranian officials say these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to transform the shared border into a hub for sustainable economic cooperation between the two countries.