Speech of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs on the Occasion of National Export Day

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Respected officials of the Islamic Emirate, traders, investors, industrialists, media representatives, and all the distinguished guests present in the hall, peace and blessings be upon you.

It is a fact that to fulfill their relative needs, all countries in the world must maintain trade relations and engagements. These relations and engagements are established based on the export and import of produced goods and commodities. The more a country's exports increase, the more its domestic production grows, the level of investment rises, and overall economic growth accelerates.

Given the decision of the cabinet of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to celebrate National Export Day annually to encourage investors and the country’s exports, this is a very significant step. I am pleased that today, in the ceremony of celebrating National Export Day, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is awarding the top exporters of the year. I am confident that this will motivate the country's investors and traders to focus even more on their activities. According to the export-oriented economic policies of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, all export companies in the country are assured that the level of exports will increase, and all surplus production will be exported to other countries in a proper trade manner.

It is worth noting to all the residents and investors of the country that, based on the decree of the esteemed Amir al-Mu'minin Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, export processing zones are being established in six provinces of the country, including Kabul, according to international standards. Each zone has been allocated one hundred jeribs of land, and fortunately, the transfer and ownership of the land have been completed. Insha’Allah, they will soon be ready for use to standardize the country's exports.

Fortunately, currently, exportable goods are being transported from 13 provinces of the country to the world. In these provinces, offices for processing export documents have been established to facilitate and expedite exports, reducing a four-day bureaucratic process to 40 minutes. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is striving to find potential and alternative markets for its exportable goods in the region and worldwide. Requests for preferential tariffs have been made to countries, and we have been largely successful in these initiatives.

I urge all exporting traders to ensure that their exports meet international standards, considering the country’s reputation. Be vigilant to ensure that our competitors do not weaken our commercial exports in this sensitive process. I also request that, following the economic policies of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, raw materials should not be exported but instead, finished products should be sent to other countries. Processing raw materials domestically leads to the establishment of new factories and job creation, and it creates a value chain.

Some circles are trying to discredit our exports by smuggling goods. I urge the security agencies to punish such individuals severely and prevent any harm to the efforts of our country and traders. To ensure transparent and reliable exports and imports, the Islamic Emirate is installing standard and advanced scanners at all ports, which will significantly impact the volume and trust in our exports, Insha’Allah.

The Islamic Emirate is engaged in discussions with reputable international companies to standardize customs and ensure valuable and credible exports. This will have a significant positive impact on the quality and quantity of our exports.

Fortunately, the economic, trade, and political relations of the Islamic Emirate with regional and international countries have flourished. Useful discussions have been held regarding trade, exports, customs facilities, and investment issues. This will positively impact our trade with them and reduce our export dependence on specific countries, providing alternative markets for Afghan products, Insha’Allah.

Finally, I call on the honorable traders of the country to establish cold storage facilities according to international standards, saving the country and its people from significant losses in this area.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stands shoulder to shoulder with its investors and traders, as always, and I assure you that all your problems will be addressed, Insha’Allah.