Business
Launch of Chabahar Port Boosts Ties with India, Iran: Abdullah
Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah says the operationalization of Chabahar port is an important step towards economic development of South and Central Asia and it will boost Afghanistan’s relationship with India and Iran.
Chabahar is a key and strategic port of Iran and it became operational with the maiden shipment of wheat from India to Afghanistan flagged off on Sunday by the foreign ministers of the three countries through video-conferencing.
“We welcome India’s cooperation, the initiative puts positive impact on relationships of Afghanistan, India and Iran,” Abdullah said.
The shipment is a part of commitment made by India to supply 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on grant basis, according to a statement of Indian External Affairs Ministry.
“I congratulate Afghanistan & Iran on Indian wheat shipment being flagged off from Kandla to Afghanistan through Chabahar,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a Twitter post. “This development marks a new chapter in regional cooperation & connectivity.”
The Afghan Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACCI), meanwhile, considered the port as a move towards regional cooperation. “Chabahar is an opportunity for us, we hope the port being developed further,” said Khan Jan Alokozai, the Deputy Chairman of ACCI.
India has been involved in number of major projects in Afghanistan and being an important partner for the country. It has spent over $3 billion for development of Afghanistan’s infrastructure sectors since the establishment of U.S. backed government in the country.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said Thursday it has signed cooperation agreements with ten institutions to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, said: “In the implementation of projects, we must pay special attention to our activities and actions and try to make useful use of the projects according to the requirements and benefit the beneficiaries.”
These ten institutions are to present their projects, the total value of which is around over $1.1 million. The projects will be carried out in Kabul, Baghlan, Ghor, Herat, Logar, Nangarhar, Balkh, Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces and provide direct jobs for about 1,000.
To date, the ministry has signed MoUs for 72 projects in total, collectively valued at about $53.6 million.
These agreements have been signed with domestic and foreign companies for the establishment of small and medium-sized businesses.
In accordance with the principles and laws of the Islamic Emirate and prioritizing the implementation of projects for immigrants and returnees and internally displaced people, the ministry said 635,865 people will benefit through jobs directly and over 4.3 million will benefit indirectly in 25 provinces once these projects are implemented.
The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) confirmed Tuesday that in the last month of solar year 1402, (March 2024) Afghanistan’s exports totaled $141.1 million and imports totaled $789.6 million.
This was down from $174 million for exports in the same period in 1401. However, imports increased by $99.2 million in 1402, up from $690.4 million.
Most exports in the last month of 1402 went to Pakistan, India and the United Arab Emirates, while in the last month of 1401 exports went to Pakistan, India and China.
The Ministry of Interior said the governor of Herat province Islam Jar met with Alim Khan Yasin Gildaye, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan, to discuss various issues around trade.
According to the ministry, the two sides discussed the expansion of trade facilities, increasing the volume of trade exchanges between traders of the two countries, reducing customs tariffs, solving the challenges of traders and issuing visas to them.
The Afghanistan-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce has been opened in Herat in order to facilitate and increase trade between the two countries.
IEA urges World Bank to resume work on 7,000 incomplete projects
Ten people killed by floods in Helmand
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
UN envoy meets Indian foreign minister to discuss Afghanistan
Traffic accident leaves one dead, four injured in Herat
ATN secures TV and digital rights to broadcast IPL 2024 in Afghanistan
Blinken meets with Saudi Crown Prince to discuss Gaza
Afghanistan and India play out goalless draw in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Dead body of Quran-burner found in Norway
ATN secures rights to produce, broadcast second season of KPL
Tahawol: China’s call for inclusive government in Afghanistan
Saar: UN’s report on poverty in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Russia and Tajikistan hold joint military drills along Afghanistan border
Saar: Anti-corruption efforts & better public services discussed
Tahawol: Abdul Kabir’s recent remarks discussed
-
Sport4 days agoACL fever grows as fixtures finalized
-
World5 days agoUS will not take part in any Israeli retaliatory action against Iran
-
Latest News4 days agoOver 50 people dead in traffic accidents over Eid
-
Latest News4 days agoUS identifies Kabul airport suicide bomber
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan-Kazakhstan chamber of commerce opens in Herat
-
Latest News5 days agoGood rains enable DABS to increase power production in Kabul
-
World4 days agoIsraeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistani police give Afghans in Balochistan one day to leave