ISLAMABAD: The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan increased to $213 million from $128 million since the Taliban reigned the government in August 2021, thus increasing 66.60% in trade between two countries.
According to details, Pakistan Exports recorded $88.30 million in September 2022 which was $49 million in September 2021.
Similarly, an increase of (58%) from $79.11 million to $125.40 million also witnessed in imports during the last one year. Overall bilateral trade with Afghanistan in September 2022 was $213.70 million and it increased by 22% in comparison to August 2022.
Meanwhile, an increase of (66%) from $75.46 million in August to $125 million was observed in imports in September 2022 whereas the exports decreased (11%) in September compared to August 2022.
Export of goods like, Rice, fresh vegetables, medicines, fresh fruits, confectionery items and dairy products increased in September 2022. Whereas exports of items like slag, tableware, household articles, plastics, decreased in the reporting month.
Sources said that Agro exports to Afghanistan have increased by 67% from $76.69 million to $127.95 million in 1st Quarter of FY 23 as compared to previous FY same period.
Similarly, non-agro exports have increased by 84% in September 2022 as compared to previous year September whereas in 1st Quarter Non-Agro exports have increased by 60% as compared to previous fiscal year 1st quarter.
Pakistan’s major agro export items are vegetables, fats, food preparation products, rice, potatoes and bananas whereas Pakistan’s major non-agro export items are pharmaceutical products, cement.
On the other hand, imports of goods like fresh fruit, cotton, tomatoes, onions, steatite, Coal, chromium, Iron scrap increased in September 2022.
Similarly, in the month of September 2022, Imports from Afghanistan have increased by 58% from $79.12 Million to $125.36 Million as compared to the month of September last year. Whereas in 1st Quarter of FY 23, imports from Afghanistan have increased by 67% from $151.19 million to $252.82 million as compared to previous FY same period.
