The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported a 65% decrease in coal exports last year.

The spokesperson for the ministry stated that in 1402, coal exports valued at $174 million were made to countries including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, compared to $497 million in 1401.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Javad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, stated: "In the course of 1402, coal exports valued at $174 million were made to Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and India."

Omid Haidari, a trader speaking to TOLOnews, said: "Since Afghanistan's mines are a good source of revenue for investment and also for our government, we need to meet the demands of foreign countries through trade agreements. Lately, our exports have decreased, and we must find alternative markets for exporting them."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum stated that it is striving to create alternative markets in the coal export sector from Afghanistan.

Officials from the ministry added that work is currently underway on the legal mining of coal mines.

Homayoun Afghan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, commented: "It is exported to Pakistan, but we are seeking alternative markets at the regional and interregional level, and, fortunately, numerous foreign companies have approached us and are interested in signing major contracts in the coal sector."

Sakhi Ahmad Payman, the f irst deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said: "If the capacity for mechanized coal mining is increased and more is extracted, allowing us to both export and satisfy the Afghan market, it will economically generate good revenues for the people of Afghanistan."

Some economic experts believe that more investment should be made in coal mining to utilize this mine for the country's energy production.

Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic expert, said: "Annually, we spend millions of dollars on energy imports from neighboring countries, and Afghanistan is still reliant on imports while Afghan industries and the overall manufacturing sector face energy and electricity shortages. If we can produce energy from our own resources, especially coal, it will undoubtedly lead to significant growth in various sectors."

According to information from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Afghanistan has a coal reserve belt that stretches 700 kilometers long and 35 to 40 kilometers wide, starting in Badakhshan and ending in Herat.

The ministry said that the extraction of these mines, which has been assigned to domestic companies, significantly funds large projects like the construction of the Qush Tepa canal, the Baghlan cement factory, and other projects.