Afghanistan to Expand Trade Ties with Indonesia

Afghanistan and Indonesia are keen to develop their trade relation in different industries, following the Indonesian President’s visit to Kabul this week, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce (MoCI) said on Tuesday.

“Soon we are going to work on expanding trade relation with Indonesia and so it could pave the ground for export of dry and fresh Afghan fruits in the country,” said the Ministry Spokesman Musafer Qoqandi.

According to MoCI’s estimation, the trade turnover between Kabul and Jakarta is about $350 million.

“We can work with Indonesia as currently we have taken steps for importing vehicle’s tires, batteries and lubricants,” said Khan Jan Alokozai, Vice President of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI).

Afghan economic analysts believe the government to should encourage the Indonesian businessmen to invest in Afghanistan. “The trade relation with Indonesia will effective when its investors launch investment in Afghanistan,” said Hakim Khan Sediqi, an economic analyst.

This comes as the Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Kabul on Monday where he met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani amid series of terrorist attacks in the capital which left hundreds of people killed and wounded.