The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said on Monday that in the 2017 fiscal year they had received over 11 billion AFs in revenue from northern Balkh province customs and a big part of that income had been collected from Hairatan port. 

Fuel and liquid gas, construction materials and food make up the bulk of the goods imported through Hairatan port. 

Some parliament members and an economic analyst have said if corruption is stopped in Hairatan port and customs, the country’s income would increase. 

Finance ministry spokesman Ajmal Abdul Rahimzai said in 2017 four billion AFs budget was allocated for Balkh province of which 70 percent was spent. 

“Balkh custom revenues in 2017 were over 11 billion AFs,” Rahimzai said. 

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said annually 20 percent of Afghanistan’s total imports were being transferred through Hairatan port. 

According to ACCI, the trade value in Hairatan port reached over $2 billion US annually. 

“Hairatan port connects us to a number of central Asian countries, Russia and even to Europe,” ACCI financial deputy head Tawfiqullah Dawari said. 

Members of parliament have said a part of government revenues was being embezzled in at some ports, especially Hairatan. 

“Not only in Hairatan port but also in other ports there are problems like corruption and illegal goods importation,” MP Akbar Stanekzai said. 

Economic affairs analysts have said corruption must be stopped in Hairatan port to increase government revenues. 

According to them, if Hairatan port’s income gets managed properly, the revenues of the port will increase. 

“If Hairatan port is distanced from political, ethnic and regional issues, it will be to the benefits of Afghan people and government,” Sayed Massoud, an economics lecturer at Kabul University said.