China has resumed its air corridor with Afghanistan--for the first time since the Taliban takeover-- and imported around 45 tonnes of pine nuts, one of Afghanistan’s key exports, to support Afghan businesses which have been struggling amid severe economic and humanitarian crisis caused after the collapse of the erstwhile Afghan government on 15 August.   

In a special ceremony held on Sunday at Kabul’s international airport, Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi called the move an “important step” towards boosting the country’s economy. Pine nuts could generate almost $1 billion in revenue for the country, according to a report in Ariana news. 

“We exported 10 tons last year, but now this has increased to 45 tons. More than $1 billion (in revenue) will come to our country,” said Taliban’s acting minister of commerce Noordin Azizi. 

The country’s exports plummeted after the Taliban’s takeover. Pakistan and Iran, one of the country’s two important exporters, closed several border crossings with Afghanistan as refugees tried to escape the country. 

Farmers cultivating pomegranate, one of Afghanistan’s key exports, suffered major losses as Pakistan closed its border crossings. India, one of the top markets for Afghan dry fruits, is yet to resume its air trade corridor for Afghanistan. 

Restrictive market access has greatly impacted the price of Afghan products. Exporters this year have been getting far less prices in comparison to that of last year.  

“Last year the price of 7kg of pine nuts was 40,000 AFN; now it has dropped to 7,500 AFN. Prices dropped because the borders are closed to export it,” Abdul Wakil, one pine nut seller, was quoted as saying by Ariana News. 

(SAM)