KABUL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A number of Indian companies are planning to invest in pharmaceutical field in Afghanistan, local media outlets have reported.
Quoting Khan Jan Alokozay, first deputy chairman of Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Ariana News television channel reported, "Indian pharmaceutical companies would like to invest jointly in Afghanistan."
Media reports also suggested that the government of Afghanistan has decided to buy medicines for the Afghan national security forces from the Indian companies.
Afghanistan and India established air cargo corridor between Kabul and New Delhi on June 19 to enhance trade activities and the first flight transported 60 tons of goods, mostly medicinal plants and dry fruits to India.
About 40 tons of medicines, according to the Alokozay, have been imported to Afghanistan from India since the opening of the direct air cargo route between the two countries.
The Afghan Ministry for Public Health has praised the move by the Afghan and Indian companies to jointly invest in pharmaceutical sector.
The volume of trade between India and Afghanistan, according to officials, is around 500 million U.S. dollars annually and both sides are hopeful that opening air cargo route could help to increase bilateral trade volume and economic cooperation.
