Afghan Traders in Khost Province are wrestling with critical challenges in exporting pine nuts abroad. Hundreds of tons of pine nuts are harvested annually, however, a lack of export and a proper marketing system to transfer products to the regional markets causes massive losses to Afghan traders.
The traders called on the Afghan administration to enhance trade agreements with the neighboring counties, Pakistan in particular, to facilitate the movement of commercial goods and other necessary items in a timely manner. Otherwise, the products will get rotten before reaching any commercial markets. The on-and-off blockage of the land trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the past couple of months due to different political reasons has severely affected the movement of consumer goods to end users.
“The socio-economic and political challenges with the government should not link with that of traders. Because the constant flow of consumer goods benefits people in both countries and allows the expansion of further business engagement in the region as well,” said an Afghan trader.
The traders also called on the Afghan Administration to facilitate the export of pine nuts to Pakistan, China, and the wider region. Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the interim regime, Afghan traders and businesses have faced critical challenges in reaching their products to the regional markets. The status has had negative consequences on the economy and trade relations within countries as well.
Meanwhile, Shabir Ahmad Usmani, head of the information and culture department of the Khost province stated that government officials are trying to solve the challenges of traders through bilateral talks, trade engagements, and other necessary mechanisms.
