Friday December 27, 2019
Kabul (BNA) Afghanistan’s market expansion is growing vividly with the changing patterns of trade through various exhibitions in India.
Over the years, Afghanistan is taking giant leaps in setting its strong foothold in the Indian markets with its intrinsic products which is appraised for its high quality. Noting, Afghanistan’s success in 2018 participation in the India International Mega Trade fair, initiated for the second time to take part in this year’s exhibition in Kolkata.
IIMTF is a major fair with impressive footfall creating avenues for trade and reaching out to potential buyers and sellers. Sixty-four Afghan companies have participated in this year’s fair; more than 30 among them are women entrepreneurs. Let’s not forget that Afghan women time and again displayed steel in them as evidenced more than 1,000 women-led and owned businesses in Afghanistan. Women empowerment is one of the major cornerstones for attaining structural and economic growth of any nation.
Competitiveness of Afghan products has been acknowledged in India and is capable of shaping the emerging marketing trends with the right business climate. At IIMTF- 2019, Afghan traders will exhibit dried fruits, carpets, handicrafts, jewelry, precious and semi-precious stones, marble and more.
The Commercial Attache of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan stated that “Exhibitions like IIMTF is one among them which sets as enthusiastic drivers in promoting trade corridors between the two nations with an aim to expand and deepen its horizons to bring investment and development in the region. More importantly, Afghanistan’s paramount endeavor is to penetrate and engage with the prime focus on markets of 10 Indian major cities with highest GDP like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmad Abad, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and others for comprehensive trade partnership of Afghanistan and India”.
He further added “Afghanistan’s relation is anchored on mutual trust and goodwill which is forging ahead with responsibility as engagement in trade, investment, culture and people-to-people contact grows. Afghanistan Ministry of Industry and Commerce is taking encouraging steps in boosting trade with India”.
Afghanistan’s Historic Trade Linkages with Kolkata
The glorious history of Afghanistan’s linkages with Kolkatawas first embarked on the journey of poet and noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s novel, ‘Kabuliwala’ in 1892.Recognizing the legacy of ‘Kabuliwala’, the bonding of Afghanistan with Kolkata is ratcheting immeasurably since decades. It is evident that Afghanistan is connected with Kolkata through history, geography and culture. Kolkata is home to more than 5,000 Afghan refugees.
Kolkata is one of the vital markets where Afghan traders can garner their potential and scale up their businesses toNorth eastern region of India. The Chabahar port is promoting greater connectivity for Afghanistan to trade with India.
Mr. Sahak said, “Afghanistan’s Connectivity through Chabahar is an important milestone in promoting trade and a significant boost in enhancing trade with India and of course connecting Kolkata through its port”.
IIMTF is marking its significant presence as 17 countries and 22 States had participated last year. The fair is jointly organized by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, other organizations and G.S. Marketing Associates. The fair will conclude on 25 December.
Economictimes
