Islamic Emirate Reports Economic Growth in Solar Year 1404 with Infrastructure Progress and Trade Challenges

Afghanistan's economy grew in the solar Hijri year 1404 according to a World Bank report, with contracts worth $11 billion signed in the electricity sector and nearly $250 million invested in manufacturing and factories, including can-making, iron smelting, raisin and pomegranate processing, cement, and flour.

Significant progress was made on major infrastructure projects, including 98% completion of the second section of the Qoshtepa irrigation canal, 96% progress on the groundwork of the TAPI project, 70% progress on the Wakhan Economic Corridor, a 15-year extension of the Aynak Copper contract, resumption of the CASA-1000 project, and the start of Semti Gold extraction in Takhar.

Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy of the Prime Minister's Office, said the Islamic Emirate has strongly supported investments through various policies and facilities for domestic and foreign investors.

Hamidullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, stated that the Islamic Emirate is committed to completing its portion of the TAPI project as soon as possible, starting with the first phase to Herat and extending to other areas.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce sought to expand trade with neighboring countries, but a halt in trade with Pakistan caused more than $1 billion in losses to traders. In response, the Islamic Emirate banned imports of medicine from Pakistan and pursued alternative routes through Central Asian countries, leading to a 77% increase in exports and 43% in imports.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, economic deputy of the Prime Minister's Office, insisted on open trade roads with Pakistan during fruit seasons, criticizing closures under pretexts. Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce, noted problems with trade to Pakistan and India, and efforts to develop new routes via Chabahar.

Trade agreements were signed with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Pakistan, and Dagestan in Russia, including preferential tariffs and memorandums of understanding.