Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Meteorological Conditions

Afghanistan has four seasons. In the mountains and a few of the valleys bordering Pakistan, a fringe effect of the Indian monsoon, coming usually from the southeast, brings moist maritime tropical air in summer. Summers are hot and winters can be bitterly cold. Summer temperatures as high as 49° C (120° F) have been recorded in the northern valleys. Midwinter temperatures as low as -9° C (15° F) are common around the 2000-m level in the Hindu Kush. The climate in the highlands varies with elevation. The coolest temperatures usually occur on the heights of the mountains. Temperatures often range greatly within a single day. Variations in temperature during the day may range from freezing conditions at dawn to the upper 30° C (upper 90° F) at noon. Most of the precipitation falls between the months of October and April. The deserts receive less than 100 mm rain a year, whereas the mountains receive more than 1000 mm of precipitation, mostly as snow. Winds sweeping in from the west may bring large sandstorms or dust storms while the strong solar heating of the ground raises large local whirlwinds. 

Western & South Western Region

Winter is usually severe with of up to two meter high snow in mountainous areas resulting in inaccessible roads. Summer period are extremely hot reaching temperatures in excess of 50° Celsius causing water shortages. The weather and rain during springtime is moderate. During autumn, all roads are still accessible.

Eastern Region

Winter is usually severe with high snow in mountainous areas of Nuristan Province, resulting in inaccessible roads. Summer period is an extremely hot reaching temperature in excess of 50 Degree Celsius causing water shortages. The weather and rain during springtime is moderate. During autumn, all roads are still accessible.

Northern Region

The climate is typical of an arid or semiarid savannah, with cold winters and dry summers. The climate of the Turkistan plains, which extend northward from the Northern Foothills, represents a transition between mountain and savannah climates. Aridity increases and temperatures rise with descending altitudes, becoming the highest along the lower Amu Darya and in the western parts of the plains. Every year the snowfall in Faryab, Sar I Pul and Samangan becomes hardly accessible whilst some remote districts of Faryab and Sar I Pul provinces become inaccessible.

Central/Central Highland

Central Highland is a cold and winter hit area with a long winter period. It has four seasons, which is dry in fall and very cold winter with heavy rains at the beginning of spring. The temperature gets hot during the summer time.

• UNDP (United Nations Development Program)
• OCHA (UN Office Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)
• UN-HABITAT (United Nations Centre for Human Settlements)
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund for Afghanistan)
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees)
• OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
• UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)
• UN WOMEN (United Nations Development Fund for Women)
• UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
• UNOPS (UN Office for Project Services)
• UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service)
• WHO (World Health Organization)
• WFP (World Food Programme)
• ILO (International Labour Organization)
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)
• MACCA (Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan)
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)
• UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan)

Duties and Tax Exemption

UN agencies and registered NGOs are exempted from import duty and excise duty in accordance with the convention of the privileges and immunities of UN (1946). However, there are exemption procedures, which must adhered to by the agency or organization.

While the main approval for tax exemption is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various other line Ministers may be involved in the approval and standards checking process depending on the type of goods being imported. For example, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology for Import of Telecommunication equipment such as HF/ VHF/UHF and Satellite equipment.  All border crossing points, including International Airports and land crossing borders follow the same customs procedures. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul endorse the documents before submitting to the Customs and Revenue Department for further processing and approval. A complete set of approved documents from the Customs and Revenue Department's main office in Kabul will then be provided to respective entry point upon which access will be granted.

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the links below: 

World Customs Organization

4.2.1 Afghanistan Government Contact List

Emergency Response

[Note: This section contains information which is related and applicable to 'crisis' times. These instruments can be applied when an emergency is officially declared by the Government.  When this occurs, there is usually a streamlined process to import goods duty and tax free.]

In the following table, state which of the following agreements and conventions apply to the country and if there are any other existing ones

Reference: http://saarc-sec.org/areas_of_cooperation

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response)

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure: 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Transit Regime

Even though Afghanistan is a landlocked country, its strategic location that connects the Middle East with Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent makes it a major gateway. However, due to a slowly developing road network and continued insecurity, little to no cargo is transiting through the country. When required, the procedure in place is as follows:

The transport companies that are contracted to undertake the cross border (transit) operations are required to:

• Submit a bond of 110% of the commodity invoice value at the Customs Office at the border entry point.
• Have the required permit to undertake cross border operations (usually issued by the country where the company is registered.
• Toll fees may apply.

The bond is released back to the transporters upon confirmation by the Customs office at the border exit point confirming the complete consignment has left the country.

UN agencies using their own vehicles may write a letter of guarantee instead of submitting a bond. All other formalities apply.

Prohibited Goods

• Alcoholic Drinks
• Live pigs and all pork products.
• Cotton seeds
• Narcotics / drugs
• Chemical fertilizers; ammonium nitrate as per Presidential Decree No. (28) Dated 21/01/2010, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
• Plastic Bags (Carry bags) as per Ministerial Cabinet Act No (1) Dated 28/03/2011.
• Importation of destructive gases of the Ozone layer included in the heading no. 2903.76 &2903.77 of Tariffs.

Info:
http://customs.mof.gov.af/en
http://www.wcoomd.org/

Afghanistan is a landlocked country relying upon the sea port services of neighbouring countries. The ports of Karachi and Port Qasim in Pakistan have traditionally been used by Afghanistan for all sea-bound freight. Afghanistan is also easily accessible through alternate ports (Bandar Abbad and Chabahar) in Iran. Although smaller in operational capacity they give an alternate supply route should insecurity escalate within Pakistan. These entry points would also allow direct access to the west of Afghanistan via IslamQala (Herat) border avoiding insecure regions of Helmand, Farah, & Nimroz within Afghanistan.

Overview

Civil Air Transport in Afghanistan is mainly used for passenger services. Afghanistan has about 50 airports/airfields, with the biggest being the Kabul International Airport, serving the capital and centre region. Main airports are Kandahar International Airport in the south, Herat International Airport in the west, and Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport in the north. Some smaller airfields have unpaved runways facilities and operate under visual flight rules.

Commercial Flights for Passenger Services 

Domestic Flights

Ariana Afghan Airlines is the national airline, connecting Kabul, Kandahar, Heat and Mazar-i-Sharif. Kam Air connects to other domestic airports and Dubai.

International Flights

Cargo Services

All airway companies that have air operations in Kabul perform cargo shipment to and from Kabul.

Cargo Handling

Cargo handling is performed at Kabul International Airport by GAAC.

Humanitarian Flights

Humanitarian air transport organisations collaborate between themselves, defining destinations in consideration of fleet characteristics and airports specificities. 

UNHAS

UNHAS provide passengers air transport. If requested, dedicated cargo flights can be performed.

Booking and Customer Service: +93(0)706004283
Emergency Mobile: +93(0)706004286 (24/7 coverage)
unhas-afg.customerservice@wfp.org, unhas-afg.reservation@wfp.org  

Humanitarian Booking Hub: https://humanitarianbooking.wfp.org/en/countries/af/locations/30/facilities/2505/detail/?service=UNHAS+Flights  

PACTEC Afghanistan

Currently not operational.

Tel: +93 (0)700282679: +93 (0)799300837

Emergency cell phone: +93(0)799020712

bookingkbl@pactec.net

Humanitarian organisations need to register before requesting flights: http://www.flypactec.org/

Contacts available here: https://www.flypactec.org/contact.html

ICRC

ICRC aircrafts are exclusively dedicated to ICRC staff transportation. Fixed schedule to various destinations is implemented. If remaining capacity is available, ICRC might offer seats or cargo space to other humanitarian organizations if specifically requested. ICRC management evaluate the requests prior to giving permission.

ICRC Air Operations Manager: Olivier Misuri-Masseglia (omisurimasseglia@icrc.org)

+93729140536 / +992900013174 / +998931844818

UNAMA Flights

UNAMA is currently operating humanitarian passenger flights between Almaty and Kabul. All passengers are required to provide 10 days advance notice of their intended arrival in Almaty.

Notifications should be sent by email to:

UNAMA Passenger Booking: UNAMA-PBO@un.org

UNAMA Notification of Travel: Ms. Sabrina Naidu naidus@un.org

Overview

The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) are generally responsible for development, management and maintenance of Afghanistan roads.

As a result of decades of conflict, the road network was largely destroyed. Since 2002, Afghanistan has launched major programmes for improving its road network with the help of various international partners: the National Emergency Rural Access Project (NERAP) and National Rural Access Programme (NRAP) among others.

Highway 1 or A01, formally called the Ring Road, is a 2,200 kilometre two-lane road network circulating inside Afghanistan connecting the following major cities (clockwise): Mazar, Kabul, Ghazni, Kandahar, Farah and Herat. It has extensions that also connect Jalalabad, Lashjkar Gah, Delaram, Islam Qala and several other cities. It is part of AH1, the longest route of the Asian Highway Network.

Part of Highway 1 has been refurbished since late 2003, particularly the Kabul-Kandahar, with funds provided by the USA, KSA and others. Most work on that stretch was done by Turkish, Indian and local companies. Japanese companies were also involved near the southern Afghan province of Kandahar. In the west, Iran participated in the two-lane road construction between Islam Qala and the western Afghan city of Herat. Pakistan rebuilt the Jalalabad – Kabul road.

Road Security

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

The newly built highways are constructed according to the norm and standards of vehicles’ capacity. Their axial contain four wheel tires and each axial is computed as (12) tons. Those axial with their own weights containing two tires are evaluated and practiced as (6) tons which means each tire has the capacity of (3) tons.

Road Class and Surface Conditions

Generally, road transport is the major means of transportation in Afghanistan. Roads are very important in a country like Afghanistan, which is landlocked and does not have adequate marine, air and rail transport. Majority of the roads in the Southern Region of Afghanistan were destroyed during the prolonged civil war. Some new roads were constructed and the old ones were reconstructed. Blockages caused by security are to be considered.

Afghanistan Road Network Regional Information

Primary Roads

Overview

Afghanistan's rail network is still in the developing stage. The current rail lines connect neighbouring countries in the north with short stretches in Afghanistan.

The three lines are: Mazar-i-Sharif and the border town of Hairatan in Balkh province, which then connects with the rail network of neighbouring Uzbekistan. The second links Toraghundi in Herat province with Serhetabat in Turkmenistan. The third is between Aqina in Faryab province and neighbouring Turkmenistan. The country currently lacks a passenger rail service. All routes may experience delays during the winter season.

1.Hairatan-Uzbekistan Rail: The railway line connects Hairatan on the Uzbekistan-Afghan border to the city of Mazar-I-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. The railroad is a 1,520mm standard gauge with passing loops at every 20km. The railway line between Termez (Uzbekistan) and Hairatan (Afghanistan) operates nonstop throughout the year with no seasonal hindrance.

Hairatan railway station handling equipment

2.Torghundi-Turkmenistan Rail: Torghundi is connected by a road and a 1520 mm gauge railroad with Serhetabat. The railroad was originally built in 1960 as a single track and was upgraded in 2017. Torghundi has become the starting point of the Lapis-Lazuli trade route linking Afghanistan to Turkey via Turkmenistan. The Torghundi railway Station is located 120 km north of Heart city and about 300 meters from the zero point from the border with Turkmenistan. It takes 1.5 hours by car and 2.5 hours by truck to drive from the border to Herat city.

Torghundi- Serhetabat Railway Line

3. Aqina-Turkmenistan Rail: Aqina is the southern terminus of a railway line via Imamnazar to Kerki in Turkmenistan. Aqina itself is located in northern Faryab province of Afghanistan near the border with Turkmenistan. The 30 km railway line connects the Aqina port with Andkhoi in Turkmenistan.

4. Rahzanak Railway Station: Located 74kms west of the city of Herat at GPS coordinates 34.440833, 61.491667 in Herat Province. The entrance to the station is about 100 meters off the main tarmac road connecting Herat city and Islam Qala border crossing. All types of vehicles, trucks and heavy machineries can access the railway station easily. The closest border crossing to the station is the Islam Qala crossing between Iran and Afghanistan and the closest airport is the Herat Airport. It takes about 1 hour to reach Rahzanak railway station by car and approximately 1.5 hours by truck from Herat city. Rahzanak railway station is part of the Khaf-Herat Railway Project which was initially planned to be 225kms long cross-border railway between Iran and Afghanistan, linking eastern Iran to western Afghanistan. The Khaf-Herat line is a single-track standard-gauge railway with a track gauge of 1,435mm and heads south from Khaf and proceeds east, across a rugged and arid landscape. The maximum speed is expected to be 120km/h for freight trains and 160km/h for passenger trains, while the axle load is up to 25mt. Delays can be expected during the winter season; however, currently this railway station is not operational due to damage to its infrastructure and equipment. There is no clear timeline when it will be rehabilitated. 

Rahzanak Railway Station

Warehouse at Rahzanak Station

Northern Region (Hairaton River Port)

Landlocked Afghanistan has no seaports but the Amu Darya River, which forms part of the nation's border with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, does have boat/barge traffic. While there are other rivers in the country, none of them are navigable. The only existing river port in Afghanistan is located in the Northern city of Hairaton. Cargo is currently coming directly from Termez via Amu Daria passing 18 KM against stream by barges, which are pulled by tug boats. The barges have a possibility to carry only bulk cargo to Hairaton River Port with a capacity of 2x200 MT and 2x400MT barges. The water port is located within the Port 1 of Hairatan Railway Station which has five corrugated sheet storage structures with a total capacity of 7500 square meters. Several more bonded storage facilities which could be accessed by road are also available in close proximity.

Company Information

For information on Afghanistan Waterways contact details, please see the following link: 4.2.4 Afghanistan Port and Waterways Company Contact List

Amu Darya River

Hairatan River Port

Afghanistan Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge

Hairatan Water Port

Storage capacity respecting minimum quality and security standards is scarce in Afghanistan. Damaged warehouses or structures lacking proper fencing and secure standards cannot be considered.

Contacts with Government or privately-owned warehouse to must be established at local level.

Some capacity and storekeeping management for humanitarian commodities can be available through the WFP established warehousing capacity.

The storage space must be requested and negotiated by humanitarian organizations, and might be allocated, in consideration of available space.

Storage Used by Humanitarian Organizations

Overview

Afghanistan has approximately 200 milling companies operating throughout the country. However, there are about 25 big milling companies who have the capacity to mill between 150 to 300 MT of WHF per day.

Lately, local Afghan traders have been importing WHF at a lower price from the surrounding countries. WHF production is cheaper in the neighbouring countries like Kazakhstan, Pakistan and others as they have sustainable electric power, better machineries and infrastructure. In general, imported WHF is sold between the range of $450 to $520 /MT. The local bakeries in major towns and cities buy the most expensive (high quality WHF) at $520/MT. Businesses located in rural areas buy the average quality of WHF by paying the average price around $485/MT. The lower quality imported WHF is purchased by individual households/families who make bread at home by paying $450/MT, and these individual households/families make the biggest market share. On the other hand, domestic milling industries sale their WHF around the mid-range price, as a result they automatically lose the biggest market share.

Associations/Unions

The milling industry has an association in Kabul which functions as a union representing the almost 200 domestic companies. The association does not interfere on price fixing, but rather operate with the government and other traders on ways to strengthen the milling industry so that they are can compete with the imported WHF. 

Due to regulations set by international institutions, Afghanistan cannot subsidise directly the domestic milling industry. Although it is estimated that the 200 plus milling companies have the capacity to produce WHF for the whole of Afghanistan, due to high competition with the imported WHF, the industry is not able to grow or even operate at full capacity. In fact, there are milling companies who only operate for seven months a year from June to December whenever there is local wheat grain harvest. But this approach has forced some millers to go out of business as it is not sustainable.

Regional Suppliers

WFP Vulnerability and Analysis Mapping (VAM):

http://vam.wfp.org/sites/mvam_monitoring/afghanistan.html

Pictures: WFP Archive

As a net importer of petroleum fuels, and where long distances and poor transport infrastructure add to the cost of the imports, Afghanistan is vulnerable to fuel price shocks on the international market. Increases in the prices of fuel have a serious impact on households, small businesses and macroeconomic growth. In this way security of petroleum fuel supply and stability of prices ultimately have a significant impact upon livelihoods and economic growth.

At the top of the chain, the fuel market is dominated by a very small number of large players. At the opposite end of the chain, there are very large numbers of small players making very small margins. In Kabul, diesel generators are often used to produce the cities electricity at base and at peak times. In Kandahar, a very high percentage of emergency electricity is supplied this way, making it some of the most expensive electricity per kilowatt in the world.

Low-quality fuel specifications and adulteration of fuel pose serious public health risks to the Afghan population in terms of urban pollution as well as accidents. The efficiency and life span of engines is also reduced by these practices. Smuggling of fuel over the porous border with Iran is reported, where petrol and diesel are heavily subsidized and therefore have a much lower retail price than in Afghanistan. This smuggling is mostly conducted by a large number of small players, from who the fuel is then bought and mixed by wholesalers, although this practice is reported to be reducing. Routes for importing fuel into Afghanistan have been, and continue to be, tied up with Afghanistan’s geopolitics.

In Afghanistan, there has been no reported shortage of availability of fuel in the country over the last 20 years, however price increases due to the seasonality and security context have reported. Fuel is mostly imported into Afghanistan from Central Asia in the north (specifically Turkmenistan – supplies approx. 75% of total fuel imports) and Iran in the west (supplies approx. 25% of total fuel imports).

Information may also be found at the following website which is updated monthly: My Travel Cost Website

Fuel Pricing

Seasonal Variations 

Fuel Transportation

Fuel tankers are widely available both from neighbouring countries and through local transporters. Seasonal constraints related to road accessibility and storage exist as well as access concerns related to insecurity.

Standards, Quality and Testing

For information on Afghanistan fuel contact details, please see the following link:4.2.6 Afghanistan Fuel Provider Contact List.

When operational, Afghanistan's postal and package services such as FedEx, DHL and others make deliveries to major cities and towns. Newer automobiles have recently become more widely available after the rebuilding of roads and highways. As of 2012, vehicles older than 10 years have been banned from being imported into the country contributing positively for the increase of road worthy vehicles.

Transport Associations and Unions

Afghanistan has a national transport union whose office is located in Kabul. The union has around 760 transport companies and associations who are registered with the Ministry of Transport as its members. The chairperson of the union is elected annually by the members. In addition to the Transport Union office in Kabul, the union has 22 branches throughout major cities in Afghanistan including at border crossing points. Local union representatives are nominated by local transport associations and companies who operate in those areas. An annual fee of 1000AFN/truck is required to renew a transport license registration.

The Transport Union is used as a platform to raise issues and challenges that disrupt the transport sector. Ministry of Transport regulation dictates that a minimum of 15 trucks are required to register as a local transport company.  As a result, individual truck owners form associations to be able to form a company. There is no maximum limit on the number of trucks per association. On the other hand, a foreign company will require a minimum of 30 trucks to be registered as a transport company in Afghanistan and compete in the local market. It is a complicated and long process for Afghan transport companies to obtain a permit to be able to operate in neighbouring countries.

There are no official transport brokers in the country registered with the Ministry of Transport. But there are individuals who work as traditional brokers to connect supply and demand. If a transporter for example needs to subcontract other transporters, usually this transporter goes to a local broker to get information.

Overall transport business has decreased after the withdrawal of the international coalition force from the country. In the past, additional transport capacity was brought into the country when the demand for transport was high. Most companies have no intention of investing in the transport sector as the current political situation is unpredictable and also due to restrictions on the financial sector.

The National Transport Union does not engage on transport tariff setting as this is against the transport regulation. The Ministry of Transport only sets transport tariff for the public transport sector. All transport companies are required to abide by axel limitations set by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works along major highways.

Common Challenges

Due to dynamic security environments, certain areas are not reached by all transporters. In some cases, a transshipment of cargo to local trucks might be needed.

Remote locations located in mountainous areas are not reachable by average commercial trucks.

During summertime mainly in South region trucks availability can be scarce due to seasonal fruit harvest.

 3.2 Afghanistan Transporters

In Afghanistan, labourers are not organised into associations and services are generally readily available. The cost of labour, skilled or unskilled, needs to be negotiated with the labourers or labourer team, and is often arranged either per MT (independent of the number of labourers) or per labourer themselves.

The below companies can be contacted to provide manual labour.

Overview

Communications in Afghanistan is under the control of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). It has rapidly expanded in late 2001 and has embarked on wireless companies, internet, radio stations, and television channels. The Afghan Government signed a $64.5 agreement in 2006 with China's ZTE to establish a countrywide optical fibre cable network. The project began to improve telephone, internet, television and radio broadcast services throughout Afghanistan. As of 2016, about 92% of the country's population has access to communication services.

There are about 18 million mobile phone users in the country. Etisalat, Roshan, Afghan Wireless, MTN, Wasel are private companies, and Salaam Telecom, a semi-government company part of Afghan Telecom, are the leading telecom companies. Afghanistan Wireless Communication Company became the first company to launch 4G services in 2017. It is predicted that over 50% of the population will have access to the internet, with over 114,192 fixed-telephone-lines mobile communications have improved because of the introduction of wireless carriers into this developing country.  All GSM companies covered almost 95%. There are major cities such as Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazari Sharif, Faizabad and Jalalabad connected through fiberoptic lines, including many more cities.

There are no restrictions regarding the competition, but the general rate is controlled by a special government authority by the name of ATRA (Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority), recently as per newly enforced law by ATRA, the 10% tax charged on all telecommunication users while adding top-up, due to security concern the SIM card registration is compulsory through the authorized document (Tazkira, Passport and Driving License).

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was established in 1955, when the country had a one-to-one wired telephone network only, as part of communications facilities, which was later developed to a small telephone facility. The Ministry then pushed to the next development of the time through providing telegraph services. However, it was used for military purposes only. Afghanistan became a member of the International Telegraph Union (ITU) in 1928. In the 1960s, Afghanistan has been connected to the world through an international radio transceiver that was installed in Kabul.

After the formation of the Interim Government in 2001, followed by the elected Government, new legislations were introduced to encourage private sectors to invest in different fields, including telecommunications. Many private companies emerged in the communications and information technology sector, providing many communication services. 

Telecommunications Regulations

Afghanistan Telecommunications Regularity Authority (ATRA) is the main body governing the Telecoms rules and regulations. Both licensing and importation of Telecom equipment are possible but will take some time, and it is essential to involve the Government before ordering any of these items and get the license and importation approval well in advance. 

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

There are 2 to 3 standards or technologies currently used by the humanitarian agencies; there is an old analogue VHF system for a short distance and Codan HF for long-distance. There is already a setup and infrastructure in place in almost all locations where the UN operates. Simultaneously, the DPKO/UNAMA uses Tetra, the new digital radio system deployed in Kabul and in some field locations. UNHCR is using the ICOM digital radio system.

WFP implemented a DMR system, while UNAMA using Tetra more advanced and costly. WFP is leading the telecom working group for all UN agencies and INGOs across the country, therefore the obtained frequencies can be used for all humanitarian communication services.

Telephone and Mobile Network Operators in Afghanistan

There are about 32 million GSM mobile phone subscribers in Afghanistan as of 2016, with over 114,192 fixed-telephone lines and over 264,000 CDMA subscribers. Mobile communications have improved because of the introduction of wireless carriers into this developing country. There are also a number of VSAT stations in major cities such as Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazari Sharif, and Jalalabad, providing international and domestic voice/data connectivity. The international calling code for Afghanistan is +93. The following is a partial list of mobile phone companies in the country:

• Afghan Telecom
• Afghan Wireless
• Etisalat provides
• MTN Group
• Roshan
• Salaam Network

Afghan Telecom

Afghan Telecom is a telecom company offering fixed-line, wireless voice and data services under a 25-year license in Afghanistan. The company was previously Government-owned and operated until 2005, when the Afghan Ministry of Communications spun it off into a private entity. In 2008, investors were being sought for an 80% stake in the company. The Government will retain 20%, and the investment payment will go to the general budget of the Government of Afghanistan.

AfTel has roughly 20,000 employees in 34 provincial capitals and 254 district centres and villages. It offers traditional wire-line telephones and internet access in the major cities, a third-generation GSM-based wireless local loop telephony, WiMAX and Fibre-based internet services based on switching, wireless access and satellite equipment. 

Roshan

In January 2003, Roshan was awarded the second GSM license in Afghanistan. Roshan's GSM network reaches 240 cities and towns across all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces. The network covers over 60% of the population, including the most remote rural areas. Roshan is one of the largest investors, private companies and taxpayers in Afghanistan. Roshan employs over 1,100 people, of whom 20% are women. Indirectly, the company has added over 30,000 jobs to the Afghan economy through its top-up stations, retail stores and public call offices.

Roshan introduced 3G in April 2013. The third company in the market was granted a 3G license after Etisalat (UAE-based telecom), and MTN (South Africa-based telecom). It has 3G service in Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Mazar, Herat, and Kunduz.

MTN Afghanistan

MTN Group Limited, formerly M-Cell, is a South Africa-based multinational mobile telecommunications company operating in many African, European and Asian countries. In Afghanistan, the MTN services provided are GSM (900/1800 MHz), GPRS/EDGE, UMTS (2100 MHZ), HSDPA. There are 4.5 million subscribers in 2012. MTN owns the company.

Etisalat Afghanistan

Etisalat Afghanistan is a 100% owned subsidiary of Etisalat UAE. Etisalat is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and the leading operator in the Middle East and Africa, headquartered in the UAE. Etisalat Afghanistan started its operations in August 2007. Etisalat provides voice and data services in 34 provinces and more than 200 districts supported by more than 12,000 retail outlets. In addition, Etisalat has 3G coverage in the 21 provinces of Afghanistan. Etisalat Afghanistan has roaming agreements with 231 operators in 116 countries. 

AWCC (Afghan Wireless Communication Company)

Afghan Wireless Communication Company, also known as Afghan Wireless and AWCC, is Afghanistan's first wireless communications company. Founded in 1998, it is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, with various regional offices.  Headquartered in Kabul, Afghan Wireless provides 4G LTE and other services, such as internet and mobile payments, to about five million subscribers across Afghanistan's 34 provinces. The company has partnerships with 425 carrier networks in 125 countries. Founded in 2002 by Ehsan Bayat, Afghan Wireless is a joint venture of Telephone Systems International and the Afghan Ministry of Communications.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Afghanistan was given legal control of the .af domain in 2003, and the Afghanistan Network Information Center (AFGNIC) was established to administer domain names. As of 2016, there are at least 55 internet service providers (ISPs) in the country. Currently, in Afghanistan, more than 66 ISP operating and providing VSAT, WiMAX, microwave and other services.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

The MNO Services initially started by Roshan in 2008, followed by AWCC in 2011. Etisalat started these services across the country, and all MNO services and money transfer processes are managed by the Afghan Central Bank (DAB). The service coverage is almost the entire country with different cost. WFP recently started the process of money transfer for their several projects under CBT. Currently, ABMMC (Afghan Besim Mobile Money Company), managing by AWCC, and Etisalat under the mHawala have a valid agreement with WFP in implementing the SCOPE platform in Afghanistan.

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Afghanistan Food Suppliers

Overview

Afghanistan food market mainly depends on the import from neighbouring countries Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Iran for the commodities of wheat flour, pulses, oil and sugar. Afghanistan local production cannot meet the requirement and there is deficit of 1.3 million metric tons of wheat for the year 2017 and almost similar deficit for the years before. There are few provinces in west, north east and south west which have surplus wheat and it is sold to local traders and exported to the provinces where there is demand and need within Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s major food export is the dry fruit and fresh fruits mainly to India and Pakistan.

There is a number of strategic grain reserves available in the country with total capacity of 241,000 metric tons. The below table elaborates in details.