Chinese traders traveled to Paktia for the first time for investment opportunities and to purchase pine nuts.

They said that the pine nuts are good quality and that they will export them to China.

The traders said that the quality of the pine nuts is good, hence they will attempt to find a market for them.

“We investigated the pine nut market. I find this year, the pine nut quality is bigger than last year, big size and very good quality. We have purchased a lot of pine nuts to export to China,” a Chinese trader.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paktia said that the visit of foreign investors to the province is important.

“The pine nuts are being exported to various Asian and European countries from Paktia. We are happy about the arrival of the Chinese traders to Paktia. This is a big achievement for us,” said Hassibullah Gardizi, head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paktia.

Meanwhile, some of the traders voiced concerns over the lack of standard technical processes for the collection of pine nut in the country.

“There is a 50 percent surge in the harvests of pine nuts this year compared to the year before,” said Mahbubullah Mohammadi, a trader.

Based on official figures Afghanistan's pine nuts are being exported to the US as well as some Asian and European countries.

The traders urged the interim government to cooperate with them regarding the processing of the pine nuts.