STORY: Pine nut exports to China spur job opportunities for Afghans
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 21, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:52
LOCATION: Kabul
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a pine nut processing factory in Kabul
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): KHALA FATIMA, Local worker
3. various of a pine nut processing factory in Kabul
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): SHIR ALI ZADRAN, Afghan businessman

STORYLINE:

As one of the daily wagers involved in cleaning pine nuts on the outskirts of Kabul, the national capital of Afghanistan, Khala Fatima was delighted to witness more such nuts exported to China.

The increase in pine nut exports to China has created job opportunities in Afghanistan as hundreds of thousands of Afghans work to clean and process the precious dry fruit to make it ready for export.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): KHALA FATIMA, Local worker
"I have been working here for the past six years, and the pine nut exports to China make us happy because we work here and earn our livelihood. Exporting pine nuts to China creates job opportunities for us."

Afghanistan's pine nuts, which mainly grow in the eastern forests, are regarded as one of the most valuable export items of the war-ravaged country.

The price of 1 kg of pine nuts in the local market is about 43 U.S. dollars nowadays, but in overseas markets, the price would double.

Afghanistan reportedly exports more than 5,000 tons of pine nuts annually on average, mostly to the neighboring country China.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): SHIR ALI ZADRAN, Afghan businessman
"Since a deal was reached with China and pine nut exports to the country were initiated, job opportunities have been created for many people. There are many companies (involved in the pine nut industry), and hundreds of people are working directly (in the industry) and thousands of others indirectly."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul.
(XHTV)