8am: Over the past two years, the Taliban have consistently claimed to improve Afghanistan’s economic situation and foster investment opportunities. They have sought to minimize the economic crisis among the populace and the global community by disseminating engineered information. However, the World Bank has reported an economic recession in Afghanistan, attributed to reduced economic activities
Tolo News: The head of Tajikistan’s Drug Control Agency stated that drugs from the large reserves in northern Afghanistan are being trafficked to Central Asian countries and the European Union. “The threat to Central Asian countries, especially those bordering Afghanistan, is gradually increasing because the methamphetamine discovered in the region is produced in Afghanistan,” said
HRW: “The situation is getting worse every day,” Ahmad, a former journalist in Herat, Afghanistan, told me. “I don’t think anyone can afford to buy enough food anymore.” According to the United Nations, in 2024, 23.7 million people – more than half of the country’s population – will need humanitarian assistance. The statistics are startling:
RFE/RL: The Taliban’s decision to turn to Iran to access international markets is a strategic move with regional implications. Access to the Chabahar Port reduces Afghanistan’s reliance on Pakistan and gives it access to India, Islamabad’s archenemy and Kabul’s traditional ally. Islamabad has historically been Kabul’s biggest trading partner, but Iran has taken its place
Khaama: The World Bank says Afghanistan’s exports dropped 5% to $140.5 million from last January. According to this World Bank report, recently published under the title “Afghanistan Economic Update,” the country’s exports were $148.1 million in January of the previous year. However, the World Bank report states that Afghanistan’s imports have increased by 37% compared
By Faiza Ibrahimi and Sana Kakar Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty March 12, 2024 Ramadan is usually a time of compassion, charity, and celebration. But the Islamic holy month has been overshadowed in Afghanistan, the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, by rising hunger, poverty, and joblessness. As some in the Muslim world break their fast with nightly
Firstpost: The dire economic situation in Afghanistan, exacerbated by the recent Taliban takeover and ongoing poverty affecting half the population, has driven many like Sharif, a former livestock keeper, to turn to mining for survival. Click here to read more (external link).
Khaama: Afghanistan’s export sector witnessed a contraction of 5 percent year-on-year in January 2024, totaling $140.5 million, down from $148.1 million the previous January. Notably, food exports to India surged by 22 percent, contrasting with an 18 percent decline in exports to Pakistan. The afghani (AFN) experienced a noteworthy 27 percent appreciation against the US
Ariana: Afghanistan is losing more than $1 billion annually due to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) extreme decrees against women and girls, Rina Amiri, US special envoy for Afghan women, said on Saturday. “The edicts prohibiting Afghan women & girls’ education & employment are hurting all Afghans. To lift Afghanistan out of aid dependency
Tehran Times: Earlier, a technical-economic delegation of the Taliban government arrived in Iran’s Chabahar port to break the ground for the construction operation of some trade and residential projects. The Taliban’s trade ministry had previously revealed the visit of the technical delegation to Iran aimed at boosting the transit cooperation and the development of economic