The prices of Afghan goods at Indian markets have increased by up to 30 percent following the opening of the air cargo corridor to India and other parts of the world.

The opportunity has helped Afghan businessman to improve the quality of their products in terms of packaging and other standards. 

According to local investors, Afghanistan’s exports have increased 10 times following the opening of the air corridor between Kabul and New Delhi.

The businessmen said Afghanistan's fresh and dried fruits are being sold on Indian markets for 30 percent more than what they are for in Afghanistan.           
“This corridor has been very citical for us to increase our exports. Now, we can even send fresh vegetables and fruit in less than two hours to India and from there to the world's markets. This year, for the first time, we were able to export Afghanistan’s okra to the Italian markets,” said Mohammad Salim, responsible for the process and packaging of the new Kinda fruit company.

Government officials said the relevant institutions continue their efforts to open air corridors with Kazakhstan and some Gulf countries – in addition to the current air corridor with India.  

"As per the demand of the investors, we continue our efforts to take action sooner for opening air corridors with other cities in India, the United Arab Emirates and with Almaty city in Kazakhstan,” said Samir Rasa, head of the media office of the senior adviser for finance and banking to President Ashraf Ghani.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries said the country’s exports have increased to more than 200,000 tons this year following the opening of the air corridor with India. 

“The air corridor to India this year has dramatically increased our exports and we are trying to expand our business to the world," said Atiqullah Nusrat, CEO of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The exports via the air corridor is currently funded by government.