KABUL – Pakistan’s export to Afghanistan has reached to a two-year highduring the first 10 moths of the current fiscal year despite relationsremain strained on political level between the two neighboring countries,it has been reported.
The latest report from the State Bank of Pakistan shows the country’sexports to Afghanistan reached $1.282 billion during July-April 2917-18.This was higher than the figure of $956 million in the same period lastyear, according to Dawn News.
The source further added that during the last five years, the outgoinggovernment never made any serious attempt to improve trade ties with thewar-torn neighbour. With the penetration of Chinese products inAfghanistan, Pakistan’s share has been further reduced.
“In 2014-15, exports to Afghanistan were $1.699bn which fell to $1.230bn inFY16 before further declining to $1.165bn in FY17, reflecting the downwardtrajectory,” according to the report.
According to the latest report, Afghanistan imports mostly food productssuch as wheat flour, rice, meet, etc from Pakistan. However, up to 50 percent of flour mills have now been closed due to low exports.
Pakistan’s textile products have historically had a large share in Kabulbut the recent penetration of Indian and Chinese products has replaced thecountry from its traditional market of finished and unfinished textileproducts.