BEIJING, Oct 25 - China has announced it will provide the Taliban with tariff-free access to its construction, energy, and consumer sectors. This initiative aims to assist Afghanistan, which has been facing severe economic challenges since the Taliban took control in 2021.
Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, confirmed that the country will offer zero-tariff treatment for all goods, a move intended to enhance trade relations and support the Taliban's efforts to stabilize its economy. The impoverished nation possesses valuable mineral resources, including lithium, copper, and iron, which could benefit both Afghanistan and China.
In the previous year, Afghanistan exported approximately $64 million worth of goods to China, primarily shelled pine nuts. However, the Taliban is now seeking foreign investments to diversify its economy and leverage its mineral wealth. Several Chinese firms, including the Metallurgical Corp of China Ltd, are exploring opportunities within Afghanistan, particularly in the mining sector.
Chinese President Xi Jinping previously announced that goods from least developed countries with diplomatic relations with China would be exempt from import duties starting December 1. This policy aligns with Afghanistan's interest in participating in China's Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.