Industry Sector
Investing in the Industry Sector
While the agriculture sector presents and is likely to present in the near and mid-term future the most important industry sector, Afghanistan is keen on establishing a low-end manufacturing sector, which will absorb many unemployed Afghans.
Low-cost manufacturing industry could be established in Afghanistan as currently big players like China and India are now moving a step forward into more sophisticated industries. Areas suitable for investment in manufacturing industry are likely to be those imports that can be first supplied to the local market and later export them when domestic demand is met, these products are discussed below. Investment in import substitutions will offset the current trade deficit and the huge volume of imports indicate that all these products have a market in the country.
Trade Balance
Exported Oriented Industries
| Carpet | Dry Fruits Processing | |
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| Handicrafts | Leather & Animals Skin | Fresh Fruits Processing |
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Import Oriented Industries
| Poultry – USD 44 million import volume | Iron melting & Steel Mills – USD 56 million import volume | Stationary – USD 56 million import volume |
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| Fuel – USD 1.2 billion import volume | Carpets – USD 20 million import volume | Detergents – USD 75 million import volume |
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| Wall Paints – USD 20.3 million import volume | Leather & Footwear – USD 45 million import volume | Food & Beverages – USD 1.75 billion import volume |
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| Glasses – USD 23.9 million import volume | Electronics & Home Appliances – USD 323 million import volume | Tire & Plastic Products – USD 84 million import volume |
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| Salt – USD 1.5 million import volume | Cotton, Graments & Textile – USD 365million import volume | Dairy Products – USD 54 million import volume |
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Handicrafts & Clothing