Punjab News Express
MUMBAI: Afghanistan today invited Indian businesses to invest in its agriculture sector, saying it offers great opportunities in the fields of manufacturing, processing, packaging and marketing of farm products.
Addressing a Four day conference and exhibition ‘Passage to prosperity : India-Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show’ organized by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which concluded here today Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister for Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mr Naseer Ahmed Durrani said that the country's farm production and exports are rising and invites Indian businesses to invest in Afghanistan .
"Rebuilding trade relationships and expanding export markets for Afghan products are critical for Afghanistan job creation, capital flows and overall stability, Afghanistan is looking for potential investors in the areas of agriculture manufacturing and processing, packaging, trading and marketing, “Mr Durrani said.
"We export dry fruits, fresh fruits to India with opening of Air corridor between Kabul and New Delhi and Kabul and Mumbai, Afghanistan's agri exports are on the rise and are expected to increase by by 30 per cent this year to USD 260 Million from previous years USD 200 Million” said Mr Durrani
Top export destination for Afghanistan are Pakistan and India followed by China, Iran and Turkey, he said.
“Afghan produce has long been a favourite of Indian consumers. Afghan apples, grapes, apricots, pomegranates, and raisins continue to be a staple of Indian hospitality. With increased capacity of Afghan producers and exporters to deliver the freshest of produce to market, these quality products are once again finding their way onto supermarket shelves.” He added .
Agriculture is the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy. Up to 80 percent of Afghans are dependent on farming and livestock, and agriculture contributes 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
More than 50 agriculture exporters from Afghanistan participated in the exhibition in Mumbai to explore business tie ups as well as to showcase their finest high value Agriculture products including fruits, nuts and spices for the first time for Indian buyers from Maharashtra and neighboring states at the Four day “Passage to Prosperity: India-Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show’
Those who were present on the occasion included Gary Kuhn - President, Roots of Peace, Ms Kamila Siddiqi. Deputy minister of Commerce, Afghanistan, Mr Pradeep Sharma of Spencer’s chain and Ms Heidi Kuhn Founder roots of Peace .
The current bilateral trade between the Two countries is US $ 900 Million and is expected to reach US $ Two billion by the year 2020