Business
Azizi says efforts ongoing to find alternative trade routes
Minister of Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Azizi said at a meeting that the ministry is trying to find additional routes to boost trade for the private sector.
As a landlocked country, Afghanistan has regularly faced challenges regarding trade, especially in the transfer of goods over land.
Now, however, the Islamic Emirate is trying to find alternative ways of doing business, so a meeting was convened by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry said in this meeting that the search for an alternative way for the country’s trade is not blocking other roads and ports, but the Islamic Emirate is trying to create facilities for the private sector.
Abdulsalam Jawad Akhundzada, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, says that: “The leadership of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been obliged to work with the respected members of the Tariff Committee to find an alternative way for the country’s trade. In this meeting, Mr. Azizi emphasized on bringing ease to the growth of the industry. And the prosperity of the country’s trade, he said, “Looking for an alternative way for Afghanistan’s trade is not blocking other roads and ports, but we are trying to bring more convenience to the private sector.”
In this meeting, the Tariff Committee has introduced its special and technical representative for better and effective use of Chabahar port as one of the alternative ways for the country’s trade.
Abdul Nasir Rashtiya, a member of the Chamber of Industries and Mines, says: “Since Afghanistan is dependent on one route and problems arise from time to time, I think the best alternative route is Chabahar and Abbas ports, which are both closer in terms of area and in terms of transportation costs and in general having good economic relations with all neighboring countries can save Afghanistan from being isolated.”
According to experts, whenever alternative ways of business are sought and used, the country’s exports increase. He also said Afghan businessmen will have access to global markets.
However, the Director General of Customs of South Khorasan region in Iran has announced that the transit of goods from this region to Afghanistan has tripled. According to the Iranian official’s explanation, 19,936 trucks of goods were transited to Afghanistan through Mahirud Customs last year.
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.
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.
A Kazakh delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan met with Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, to discuss ways of strengthening banking and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, Khalid said the central bank is keen to establish regular and effective banking relations with Kazakhstan as part of broader efforts to expand bilateral trade.
He noted that enhanced banking cooperation would help facilitate trade, investment, and wider economic interaction between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, while also contributing to financial stability at the regional level.
Members of the Kazakh delegation also emphasized the importance of developing banking and economic ties and expressed their readiness to expand joint cooperation.
The two sides further agreed to establish technical committees from both countries to hold expert-level discussions and advance practical steps for cooperation.
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