MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Recent insecurity in the northern zone has a negative impact on trader activities through Hairatan dry port in northern Balkh province, a trader representative said on Sunday.
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) head in Balkh, Naseer Ahmad Qasimi, told Pajhwok Afghan News insecurity in some districts delayed and created hurdles to transportation of goods to the port from the north and northeast.
He was talking to Pajhwok on the sidelines of a gathering on promotion of domestic agricultural products through marketing held in coordination with the provincial Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock) department in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, and ACCI.
Local products from north and northeastern parts of Afghanistan are exported to foreign countries via the Hairatan port but insecurity in the northern zone has badly affected trade activity on the Mazar-i-Sharif-Hairatan line.
To somehow improve the situation, Qasami said an agri-fair would be launched in Mazar-i-Sharif on the northern zone level. He said today’s gathering was part of organizing the exhibition.
Qasami said he would try to find market for local products, improve their quality and then offer the products to local market with reasonable price.
Balkh agriculture director Katib Shams said wheat, cotton, melon and watermelon were grown in northern zone and had good yield.
He said if farmers’ confidence was boosted in local market, they would produce good quality products and would dominate local market.
A trader in Balkh, Haji Mayal, said such exhibitions for marketing had positive impact on local products worldwide. Recent insecurities had hampered export and import activities, he said.
“If the central government as well local government departments give special attention to domestic products, it would not only increase production but also help strengthen trade affairs.”
