Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomes World Bank report on country's economy

The office acknowledged that the report accurately portrays the country's economic situation.

In a statement issued by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar's office, it was stated: “The Islamic Emirate believes that if the international community focuses on positive interaction rather than imposing restrictions, Afghanistan's economic progress will further improve, reducing the burden on the international community.”

The statement further emphasized that presenting an accurate assessment of Afghanistan's realities by international organizations like the World Bank would facilitate positive engagement with the Islamic Emirate.

According to the World Bank report, Afghanistan has witnessed an increase in both exports and imports, maintained monetary stability, and experienced growth in domestic revenues.

From January to April 2023, imports reached $2.4 billion, representing a 27 percent growth compared to the same period last year. The report identifies Iran as the leading country of origin for imports (21 percent), followed by Pakistan (18 percent), China (16 percent), and the United Arab Emirates (13 percent).

However, the merchandise trade deficit for January to April 2023 was $1.8 billion, marking a 38 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 when it stood at $1.3 billion.

Unofficial data reveals that total exports during January to April 2023 amounted to $0.6 billion, a 4 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022. The report attributes this export growth to a 13 percent increase in coal exports and a 14 percent increase in textile exports.

Pakistan remains the primary export market for Afghanistan, accounting for 63 percent of total exports, followed by India at 26 percent. Food and coal are the main exports to Pakistan, with coal exports amounting to $140.7 million from January to April 2023, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The positive findings in the World Bank report provide optimism for the economic outlook of Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate.

As the country strives for stability and growth, it is hoped that increased international cooperation and accurate representation of its economic realities will pave the way for constructive engagement and progress. (ILKHA)