Local officials in northeastern Kunduz province report a significant increase in exports and imports of commercial goods through Shir Khan Port.
The officials assured traders a good business environment and asked them to resume their commercial trade through the port.
However, officials of Kunduz Chamber of Commerce and Investment and traders in the province demand more facilities concerning banks and the release of the country’s frozen money.
MulaviSahar, head of Kunduz customs, said exports and imports through the Shir Khan Port had increased by 90 and 60 percents respectively in the last three months compared to the same period last year.
“During the months of September, October and November last year, there were 103 cargo trucks of exports compared to 893 trucks during the period this year which shows 90 percent increase. Also, 631 trucks of commercial goods were imported during the three months last year compared to 1,413 trucks this year, which shows 60 percent increase in imports,” he said.
He said that since the beginning of his job in the port, corruption has been completely eradicated and thousands of tons of commercial goods were exported and imported through this port on a daily basis. Besides increased exports and imports, the revenues of this port have also increased significantly, he added.
Meanwhile, traders are pleased with the eradication of corruption in the port and welcomed needed facilities provided there.
Abdullah, a trader said, “Compared to the past, the trade trend is normal, there was corruption in the port before but it no longer exists, but taxes are still a little high, we want the tax to be decreased in the current situation.”
On the other hand, MatinYousefzai, head of Kunduz Chamber of Commerce and Investment, also said that corruption in the port has been controlled.
“It is clear that there was corruption before; 50 percent of the port’s revenue would go to personal pockets,” he said, adding that the new government should provide banking facilities for traders. The increase in imports and exports through Shir Khan Port comes as most of commercial goods were previously imported without tax payment due to corruption in the port.
