The Ministry of Finance has decreased the tariffs on essential food items between 50 to 70 percent due to the poor economy.

A spokesman for the MoF, Ahmad Wali Haqmal, said the decision was made by the leadership of the ministry, considering the rise in prices of goods and poor economic conditions.

“The Ministry of Finance had decreased the tariffs between 50 to 70 percent. Due to this discount, the prices have dropped in the markets of the country,” he said.

He said that the ministry has discounted 6.7 billion Afs within the 11 months of 1401 solar year.

“After the Islamic Emirate swept into power, it has decided to reduce the tariffs. The truth is that the people of Afghanistan will benefit from it,” said Zalmai Azimi, a trader.

The shopkeepers said that the reduction in tariffs are important for the stability of the prices in the market.

“We call on the Islamic Emirate to further reduce the tariffs ... when the tariffs were high, the price of one bag of flour was 2,200 Afs,” said Nematullah, shopkeeper.

“They exempted the tariffs for the month of Ramadan. They may do it forever,” said Shirzad, a shopkeeper.

Afghanistan imports the majority of its food items from Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian nations. Experts believe that clearing delays in the border areas reduces prices of food items.