KABUL (SW) – The poor quality of packaging of exported items from Afghanistan is having negative impacts on the trade.
According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) the poor quality of packaging and processing is one of the main reasons hindering growth in exports. Khan Jan Alakozay, vice president of the ACCI, told Salam Watandar the packaging standards adopted for exports to Pakistan are not acceptable in countries such as India, Turkey and Kazakhstan.
Exports from Afghanistan soared following establishment of air corridors with India, Turkey and Kazakhstan. However, ACCI fears if the standard of packaging and processing is not improved, the Afghan exports might dwindle.
Meanwhile, Akbar Rustami, spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, acknowledged the shortocmings in this regard. He added plans are in place to develop a new processing center in Parwan while those operational in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Nangarhar and Kunduz provinces are already functional.
ENDS
