Indian firms asked to invest in Afghan agro sector

AVA- Deputy Minister of Agriculture Naseer Ahmad Durrani invited Indian businesses to invest in manufacturing, processing, packaging and marketing of farm products.
He was speaking during the concluding session of the four-day India-Afghanistan International Trade & Investment Show in Mumbai on Saturday.
The event was jointly organised by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the governments of India and Afghanistan.
Agriculture, farming and livestock formed the backbone of the Afghan economy contributing 25 percent to its GDP and involving around 80 per cent of the population, Durrani said.
Afghanistan's agriculture exports were expected to rise by nearly one-third this year to touch $260 million, up from $200 million last year, he was quoted as saying by IANS.
Afghan fruits like apples, grapes, apricots, pomegranates and raisins were popular in India and continue to be a staple of Indian hospitality and diet, he said.