KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s exports have dropped by $50 million over the past six months compared with the same period last year, according to data released by the Taliban-run National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA).
The NSIA reported that Afghanistan’s total exports during this period amounted to approximately $670 million. The country’s primary export goods include dry fruits, medicinal herbs, and minerals, staples of its trade portfolio.
Meanwhile, imports during the same six-month period totaled $5.25 billion, highlighting a significant trade imbalance. The bulk of imports consisted of heating materials, fuel, and machinery, the NSIA said.
The decline in exports comes despite repeated pledges from the Taliban to transform Afghanistan into a regional economic hub and an attractive destination for investment. Business leaders and investors, however, continue to cite challenges such as unreliable electricity and inadequate infrastructure as major barriers to economic development.
