Kabul, Afghanistan – A new USAID-funded cold storage facility at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) will enable exporters to increase shipments of perishable fresh fruits and vegetables to high-paying international markets, minimizing product loss and maximizing profit.

The facility was inaugurated at a ceremony on July 13 at the HKIA Customs Export Warehouse with keynote guests from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

His Excellency Deputy Minister Hashmatullah Ghafoory, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock thanked USAID for helping remove a long-standing impediment for large-scale air exports. He further pointed out that this HKIA Cold Storage facility will serve as an excellent model for replication elsewhere in the country.

"We have buyers in Dubai, India and Europe who are interested in fresh fruits," said Zabihullah Ehsan, president of Tak Dana Ltd. "Our fresh fruit exports require a consistent cold chain, but the cold chain could not be maintained due to the lack of cold storage at the airport. This safeguards the fresh fruit in case of flight cancellation or delay and ultimately gives us a chance to compete in those markets."

Last month's "Made in Afghanistan: Nature's Best" Mumbai Trade Mission, also supported by USAID, demonstrated the growing demand for Afghan fresh fruit on the Indian subcontinent.

With almost $19 billion spent on development programs in Afghanistan since 2002, USAID provides the largest bilateral civilian assistance program to Afghanistan. USAID partners with the Government and people of Afghanistan to ensure economic growth led by the country’s private sector, establish a democratic and capable state governed by the rule of law, and provide basic health and education services for all Afghans.

• Press Release - Cold Storage Facility is Critical To Afghan Export Market (Dari)