Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) on Monday said Afghanistan and Indonesia have talked about opening an air corridor between the two countries.

Officials said committees have been formed to take further steps in this regard.

MoCI spokesman Musafir Quqandi said with the establishment of this air corridor, Afghanistan’s exports will increase significantly.

“We have spoken in general in this regard and there are committees that are working on which countries are the best for exporting our products,” said Quqandi.

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) meanwhile said Indonesia is a good market for Afghanistan products and by the establishment of the air corridor, Afghan traders will export dried and fresh fruits, carpets and medicinal herbs to Indonesia.

“Air cargo is important, especially in the time that our neighbors do not let us to use their territory to reach the ocean. If we transfer goods by air, it will be more efficient and cheaper,” ACCI spokesman Seyam Pesarlay said.

Currently Afghanistan has one air cargo corridor with India but wants to establish air corridors with another five countries, including Indonesia.

The presidential palace meanwhile said since the opening of the air corridor between Afghanistan and India, over 1,000 tons of goods have been exported to India on 65 flights.

The presidential palace said an air cargo corridor to Kazakhstan will start next week.

“We are trying to launch the first flight to Kazakhstan next week,” Samir Rasa, head of the media office for the senior advisor to the president said.

According to the commerce ministry, currently the trade volume between Afghanistan and Indonesia is about $6 million USD.