Afghanistan Trade Disrupted by Regional Conflicts

KATHMANDU. Import-trade of vehicle parts in Spin Boldak, a commercial center on Afghanistan's southern border, has been halted due to regional conflict. This trade, which has flourished for a long time in Kandahar province, has been severely affected by the closure of the border with Pakistan and the tension in West Asia.

The import route was blocked after the border with Pakistan was almost completely closed since October following cross-border violence. Although shipments were made as an alternative via Bandar Abbas in Iran and through the United Arab Emirates, those routes have also been affected by the recent West Asia war.

According to businessmen, parts coming from countries like Japan used to reach Spin Boldak via Pakistan, where vehicles were assembled and repaired. But now, transportation costs have increased excessively and the supply chain has been disrupted.

Businessmen say that with the increase in tension in West Asia, trade routes around Iran and shipments through the 'Strait of Hormuz' have also been affected, deepening the crisis.

According to transport companies, delays are increasing at Jebel Ali port, a major commercial center in the UAE. Due to this, the regular supply system between Japan and the UAE has also been affected and disrupted.

According to local businessmen, the cost of containers has increased from two thousand US dollars to eight thousand dollars, and many containers are stuck in the UAE and Japan. The World Bank has warned that Afghanistan is a country at high risk of external economic shocks, with the import-export imbalance widening.

Thousands of laborers and traders working in the Spin Boldak market have been affected. Many are facing the risk of losing employment as activities related to car manufacturing, repair, and sales have stopped.

Businessmen have expressed hope that regional tensions will be resolved and international waterways and border routes will reopen.