In the final month of the last solar year, Afghanistan conducted exports worth $141.1 million and imports totaling $789.6 million.

According to the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA), the largest exports were to Pakistan, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

The agency adds that the country's exports have increased by $32.9 million compared to the same period in the year 1401 solar.

Mohammad Halim Rafi, the spokesperson for the NSIA, stated, "Our data shows that in the month of Hoot in 1402, total exports amounted to $141.1 million and similarly, total imports in this month were $789.6 million, with the most exports going to Pakistan, India, and the UAE, and imports coming from China, Pakistan, and Iran."

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment reports that the country's export items are primarily composed of Afghan minerals. Officials in the chamber add that due to the lack of large refining facilities in the country, extracted minerals are exported raw.

Khan Jan Alokozay, a member of the board of directors of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said, "Most minerals in Afghanistan are not processed; hundreds of types of talc materials are found, which are used in cosmetics and medicine, but we just grind this and send it to China and Pakistan."

However, some economic experts emphasize focusing more on exports, suggesting that increasing exports will bring more money into the country.

Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic expert, said, "Our neighboring countries have set up their factories and they are striving to maintain this. If we now produce something in Afghanistan, the local market is very small, and if we do not have a foreign market, we cannot compete here."

Abdul Zuhur Mudabir, an economic expert, said, "Exports and imports are major components that can elevate a nation's national revenue. Accordingly, the more a country has a surplus in exports over imports, the more it can be driven towards prosperity."

According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Afghanistan had exports worth $1.9 billion in the year 2023.

This figure shows a two percent increase despite the repair of the Salang Pass, a decrease in coal exports, and issues in neighboring countries, amounting to an increase of $41 million.