More than twelve containers of apples from Khak-e-Jabar district of Kabul province are set to be exported to India.
This shipment, valued at over 250,000 USD, will be exported to India in coordination with several Afghan traders.
A number of Indian businessmen who previously worked in the export of dried fruits from Afghanistan to India now say they are interested in purchasing fresh Afghan fruits, especially apples.
Murtaza Mansoor, an Indian trader, said: “We are very grateful to the Government of India and also to the Government of Afghanistan, especially for the free-trade agreement that exists between the two countries. This agreement has created a brighter outlook for expanding and developing trade between the two nations.”
Harshil Ghori, another Indian trader, added: “The fruits produced in Afghanistan are of very high quality, and we are proud to bring these products to our country so that our people can also benefit from the excellent quality of Afghan fruits and those from other parts of the world.”
Some Afghan traders and coordinators say the goal of this initiative is to create alternative markets for Afghan products, adding that India could be a strong market for Afghan goods, particularly fresh fruits.
Abdul Malik Montazer, an Afghan businessman, stated: “Indian investors should be encouraged to invest more in Afghanistan. Now that the Minister of Industry and Commerce has traveled to India, we hope he returns with positive outcomes and that opportunities for exports via both air and land routes are created.”
Meanwhile, several orchard owners, expressing satisfaction with the opportunity to export their fresh crops to India, emphasized that export pathways for fruits and other agricultural products to additional countries should also be provided.
Almas, an orchard owner, said: “We ask the Islamic Emirate to facilitate the export of our products to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, and Tajikistan.”
This comes as the Economic Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office recently called on traders and industrialists, during a meeting, to seek alternative trade routes other than Pakistan.
