Afghanistan’s foreign trade reached $12.949 billion over the past year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, signaling a notable increase in economic activity.
The ministry highlighted that the rise reflects improved purchasing power among Afghans and stronger trade relations with regional partners.
The country exported goods worth $1.785 billion during this period, with key exports including figs, cotton, raisins, carpets, lead ingots, and precious and semi-precious stones. These products found strong demand in markets such as Pakistan, India, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Türkiye, and Tajikistan. On the other hand, Afghanistan imported $11.164 billion worth of goods, including essential items like diesel fuel, wheat flour, vehicle parts, liquefied gas, cotton textiles, spices, oil, and rice, which are vital for sustaining domestic industries and daily commerce.
While the figures indicate economic activity, Afghanistan continues to face a significant trade deficit. In 2023, imports totaled $7.710 billion, while exports reached $1.884 billion, underscoring the country’s reliance on foreign goods. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) special representative Roza Utunbayeva, recently reported a 2.7% economic growth rate for 2024, suggesting modest progress. However, experts warn that persistent challenges, including reduced foreign aid and the widening trade gap, could hinder long-term stability.
The latest trade data highlights both Afghanistan’s economic resilience and the ongoing need for policies that boost exports, attract investment, and reduce dependency on imports. As the country navigates these challenges, observers remain cautious about its economic trajectory in the coming years.
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region on Wednesday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), with tremors felt in nearby areas.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported on Monday that six children in the Samos migrant camp in Greece are suffering from acute malnutrition, spotlighting worsening humanitarian conditions in the EU-funded facility.
Iran and Afghanistan are working to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties as the Taliban seeks greater engagement with the United States. The discussions focus on trade, security, and regional stability, highlighting shifting alliances in the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Afghanistan is facing a dire water crisis, with over 21 million people in urgent need of clean water and sanitation. Humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm, urging immediate action as underground water reserves dry up and the country’s already fragile infrastructure risks collapse.
Climate change has become a critical destabilizing factor in Afghanistan, worsening the country's already severe economic and social instability.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Moscow on Thursday, with discussions expected to center on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and broader Middle Eastern regional affairs, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.
The presidents of Azerbaijan and Georgia held talks in Baku, reaffirming their centuries-old friendship, strategic partnership, and commitment to regional peace, stability and cooperation.
The 2nd Central Asia Media Forum is underway in Astana, Kazakhstan, gathering media leaders and experts from across the region and beyond. The forum focuses on media development prospects, digital transformation, and regional cooperation in the age of AI and big data.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
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