Business

Chamber claims corruption, insecurity eradicated in Afghanistan

Published

4 years ago

March 2, 2022

Officials of Afghanistan’s Chamber of Industries and Mines (ACIM) said on Tuesday that corruption and insecurity have been eradicated since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) took power last year but stated that the country was dealing with a severe economic crisis.

Officials said that one example is that of factories. According to them hundreds of manufacturing businesses have closed down due to the crisis.

The sudden collapse of the former government in August last year resulted in foreign donors cutting off all funding to Afghanistan, freezing of the country’s foreign reserves and imposition of economic sanctions.

Afghanistan, which has for the past 20 years been largely reliant on foreign funding, has been hit hard by these decisions which have contributed enormously to the current humanitarian crisis.

Chamber officials meanwhile said that international sanctions on Afghanistan’s banking system have led to the closure of many factories.

“We are satisfied with the Islamic Emirate, they are trying to promote domestic products and industries. Problems we have are because of international sanctions. The problem must be solved and Afghan money must be released,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, the deputy head of the ACIM.

Members of the Steel Association, which is a major electricity consumer in Afghanistan, said that they still have power supply problems but other issues, including the smuggling of raw materials, has been stopped.

“Our problems have decreased compared to the past. Our expectation is to decrease challenges regarding domestic products,” said Abdul Nasir Rishtia, a member of the Steel Association.

Economic analysts also called on the IEA to help Afghan traders expand the domestic markets.

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Business

Iran seeks to establish free trade zone with Afghanistan and China

Published

24 hours ago

July 27, 2026

Ariana News

Iranian officials have announced that they are pursuing a plan to establish a trilateral free trade and industrial zone between Iran, Afghanistan, and China aimed at expanding economic cooperation, attracting foreign investment, and strengthening transit routes.

Morteza Zakarian, Director General of Economic and Financial Affairs of Iran’s South Khorasan Province, said the proposal was put forward based on the geographical, mining, and transit capacities of the three countries, and that administrative and expert reviews of the plan are ongoing.

Speaking at a meeting with a Chinese economic delegation at the South Khorasan Special Economic Zone, Zakarian said the Iran-Afghanistan-China route could serve as a secure and sustainable corridor, creating opportunities for expanded trade and economic cooperation among regional countries.

He added that the proposal to establish the trilateral free trade zone was presented by the provincial governor during the Iranian president’s visit to South Khorasan in 2025.

Zakarian stressed that the implementation of the project should not rely solely on government resources, adding that the private sector, particularly Chinese investors, could play an important role in making the plan a reality.

The Director General of Economic and Financial Affairs of South Khorasan highlighted the province’s border location with Afghanistan, mineral resources, workforce, available land for economic projects, and position along major transit routes as key advantages.

He said Afghanistan’s mineral resources, rare elements, and transit position, along with China’s investment capacity, financing potential, and technological expertise, could contribute to this economic cooperation model.

Zakarian also noted the growing presence of Chinese investors in South Khorasan, saying that 12 investment projects by Chinese nationals have so far been approved in the province, with more than half receiving approval over the past two years.

Business

Afghanistan, Uzbekistan discuss expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation

For his part, Khojayev said Uzbekistan is prepared to invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector and increase imports of Afghan meat and cotton.

Published

2 days ago

July 26, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met on Sunday with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khojayev, and his accompanying delegation at the Chahar Chinar Palace in the Arg to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation.

The two sides held talks on strengthening economic, trade, investment, and transit cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Baradar said stronger and more stable relations between Kabul and Tashkent would not only serve the economic interests of both countries but also contribute to regional stability. He added that the Islamic Emirate is ready to use all available capacities to further strengthen and expand bilateral ties.

He emphasized the effective implementation of the joint action plan between the two countries, describing it as an important step toward boosting economic growth.

Baradar also identified several priority areas for cooperation, including removing obstacles to the movement of Afghan export vehicles to Uzbekistan, granting exemptions for Afghan transit goods arriving from China, Central Asia, and Russia, facilitating exports of Afghanistan’s agricultural products, fresh and dried fruits, food products, and valuable minerals to the markets of Central Asia, Russia, and China, increasing the capacity of transit infrastructure, expanding customs facilities, easing the issuance of visas for Afghan citizens, and enhancing cooperation in the energy sector and joint infrastructure projects.

He said broader cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan would not only elevate bilateral economic relations but could also serve as a model of good neighborly relations for other countries in the region.

For his part, Khojayev said Uzbekistan is prepared to invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector and increase imports of Afghan meat and cotton.

He also announced Uzbekistan’s readiness to build a $50 million zinc processing plant in Hairatan.

Khojayev added that the Uzbek delegation would work with relevant institutions of the Islamic Emirate in the areas of transport, energy, agricultural development, banking, trade, economic cooperation, and capacity-building for Afghan citizens.

Business

Over 205,000 Afghans visit Uzbekistan for trade and business in six months

Published

4 days ago

July 24, 2026

Ariana News

More than 205,000 Afghan citizens traveled to Uzbekistan for trade and business activities during the first six months of 2026, making Afghanistan the largest source of foreign commercial visitors to the country, according to official data.

Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee reported that a total of 228,615 foreign nationals visited the country for commercial purposes during the period, with Afghan visitors accounting for the vast majority.

The data showed that 205,937 Afghans arrived in Uzbekistan for business-related activities between January and June, far exceeding the figures recorded from other countries.

Turkmenistan ranked second with 16,322 commercial visitors, followed by Tajikistan with 4,320. The list also included 628 citizens from Kyrgyzstan, 311 from Kazakhstan, 230 from Russia, and 188 from Turkey.

The figures highlight the growing role of Afghan traders and businesses in cross-border economic activities between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has remained one of Afghanistan’s key trade and transit partners, with both countries seeking to expand economic cooperation, connectivity, and regional trade links.