[14][15] The Afghan economy continues to improve due to the influx of expats, establishment of more trade routes with neighboring and regional countries,[19][20] and expansion of the nation's agriculture, energy and mining sectors.

[21][22][23] The billions of dollars in assistance that came from expats and the international community saw this increase when there was more political reliability after NATO became involved in Afghanistan.

[24][25] Despite holding over one trillion dollars in proven untapped mineral deposits, Afghanistan remains one of the least developed countries in the world.

[5][26] The main factor behind this has been the continuous war in the country, which deterred business investors and left much of the population fighting among each other instead of catching up with the rest of the world.

These monarchs were eager to develop the stature of government and the country's military capability, and so attempted to raise money by the imposition of state monopolies on the sale of commodities and high taxes.

Western technologies and manufacturing methods were introduced at the command of the Afghan ruler, but in general only according to the logistical requirements of the growing army.

[41] Gross domestic product has fallen substantially since the 1980s due to disruption of trade and transport as well as loss of labor and capital.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the Afghan economy grew 20% in the fiscal year ending in March 2004, after expanding 30% in the previous 12 months.

[44][45] In this regard, Taliban's spiritual leader Hibatullah Akhundzada stated, "The economy of a country is built when its people work together and do not rely on foreign aid[.

Following this, after months of free-fall, the Afghan economy began stabilizing, as a result of the Taliban's restrictions on smuggled imports, limits on banking transactions, and UN aid.

[55][56][57] Other fruits grown in the country include apples, apricots, cherries, figs, kiwi, oranges, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, and strawberries.

Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman are the only provinces in the country where large farms of grapefruits, lemons, limes, and oranges can be found.

Most of its vegetables are for domestic consumption and include beans, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, chickpeas, coriander, corns, cucumbers, eggplants, leeks, lettuces, okras, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, tomatoes, turnips, and zucchinis.

This revised US-sponsored APTTA agreement also allows Afghan trucks to transport exports to India via Pakistan up to the Wagah crossing point.

[151] In 2006, a U.S. Geological Survey estimated that Afghanistan has as much as 1,000×10^6 m3 (36×10^9 cu ft) of natural gas, 570×10^6 m3 (3.6 Gbbl) of oil and condensate reserves.

Geologists also found indications of abundant deposits of colored stones and gemstones, including emerald, garnet, kunzite, lapis lazuli, peridot, ruby, sapphire, spinel, and tourmaline.

[157][158][159] The Khanashin carbonatites in the Helmand Province of the country have an estimated 1 million metric tonnes of rare earth elements.

[172] Originally, the Karzai administration and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a contract for the development of three oil fields in the northern provinces of Sar-e Pol, Jowzjan and Faryab.

[175] In early 2023, the Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Company signed a similar contract with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The government founded banks; introduced paper money; established a university; expanded primary, secondary, and technical schools; and sent students abroad for education.

[36] By the late 1970s, these had achieved only mixed results due to flaws in the planning process as well as inadequate funding and a shortage of the skilled managers and technicians needed for implementation.

A new law on private investment provides three to seven-year tax holidays to eligible companies and a four-year exemption from exports tariffs and duties.

[182] Other smaller development projects include the Qatar Township in Kabul,[183] Aino Mena in Kandahar and the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Town east of Jalalabad.

[199] After the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan returned to power, the country suffered from a major liquidity crisis and lack of banknotes.

[200] Because outside donors have severely cut funding to support Afghanistan's health, education, and other essential sectors, many Afghans lost their incomes.

Small number of guest houses and hotels are also available in other cities such Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, Bamyan, Fayezabad, etc.

[218] For those wanting to travel by road, there are bus terminals with mosques, Afghan style restaurants and small shops in the major cities.

Gross national saving: 22.7% of GDP (2017) GDP - composition by sector: note: data excludes opium production GDP - composition by end use: Household income or consumption by percentage share: Agriculture - products: wheat, milk, grapes, vegetables, potatoes, watermelons, melons, rice, onions, apples Industries: small-scale production of bricks, textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food-products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper Industrial production growth rate: -1.9% (2016) country comparison to the world: 181 Labor force: 8.478 million (2017) country comparison to the world: 58 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 44.3%, industry 18.1%, services 37.6% (2017) Population below poverty line: 54.5% (2017) Budget: Taxes and other revenues: 11.2% (of GDP) (2017) country comparison to the world: 210 Exports: $2 billion (2022)[11] country comparison to the world: 164 Exports - commodities: gold, grapes, opium, fruits and nuts, insect resins, cotton, handwoven carpets, soapstone, scrap metal (2019) Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 45%, Pakistan 24%, India 22%, China 1% (2019) Imports: $7 billion (2022)[11] country comparison to the world: 125 Imports - commodities: wheat flours, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, rolled tobacco, aircraft parts, synthetic fabrics (2019) Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 23%, Pakistan 17%, India 13%, China 9%, United States 9%, Uzbekistan 7%, Kazakhstan 6% (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.187 billion (2017) country comparison to the world: 85 Current account balance: $1.014 billion (2017) country comparison to the world: 49 Currency: Afghani (AFN) Exchange rates: 67 afghanis to 1 US dollar (2023)[228][33][34][35] Fiscal year: 21 December - 20 December Energy in Afghanistan is provided by hydropower followed by fossil fuel and solar power.

[5] The nation currently generates over 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity from its several hydroelectric plants as well as using fossil fuel and solar panels.

[236] Due to large influx of expats from neighboring Pakistan and Iran, the nation may require as much as 7,000 MW of electricity in the coming years.