Imports surge by $ 21 million in 6 months

KABUL (SW) – The import bill has surged by $ 21 million in the first half of this year in comparison to the past year.

According to the Central Statistics Organization, Afghanistan imported goods worth $ 3.7 billion in the first half of this year, which is $ 21 million more than for the same period last year.

Haseebullah Mohid, deputy director for the CSO, has said though the agriculture products play pivotal role in the gross national product, but the fact that wheat and flour comprised the bulk of imported products, the policy makers need to think about it.

Meanwhile, Akbar Rustami, spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) blamed the ragging drought for the high import bill for wheat and flour. He said there was a shortage of some 800 metric tons of wheat that forced the government to import it.

Based on statistics, Afghanistan has only 10 per cent exports and a massive 90 per cent imports in terms of trade balance.

 Other top items on the import bill include petroleum products, auto parts, steel, cigarette and others.

ENDS