The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghanistan has exported stone products to the United States for the first time, with a shipment valued at $100,000, Taliban authorities in Herat said on Wednesday.
According to the Taliban governor's media office in Herat, the export included black stone extracted from mines in Zendah Jan district. The shipment was sent to the United States with the cooperation of the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines.
The Taliban described the export as an important step toward expanding Afghanistan's mineral exports and strengthening the presence of Afghan mining products in international markets.
From Afghanistan's perspective, the shipment reflects efforts to diversify export destinations beyond regional markets and increase the value of the country's mining sector, which has long been viewed as one of Afghanistan's key economic resources.
Afghanistan possesses substantial reserves of marble, granite, travertine and other natural stones. However, exports have remained below their potential because of limited processing capacity, marketing challenges and transit constraints.
