Due to decades-old ties, Amritsar importers order dried fruits from Kabul on credit.

- Leaking roofs of Integrated-Check-Post (ICP) godowns also cause a lot of goods to get damaged due to dripping rain water

It is well known that India and Afghanistan have had political as well as trade relations for hundreds of years. After the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1917, political relations had deteriorated, but relations between the merchants remained. Trade between the two countries has come to a standstill due to the unrest in Afghanistan over the past two years, which has resumed and is being imported from Kabul as traders used to order dried fruits from Amritsar. Majith-Mandi in Amritsar is the main dry market.

Anil Mehra, an Amritsar-based importer, says, "The whole business is now on credit. However, only old importers can get the goods. Which is credited (borrowed). However, new importers cannot get the goods, it is instinctive. Bank of Kabul is not yet operational in Kabul as its employees have not yet turned up on duty.

The problem is that the recent rains have also caused a lot of goods to be damaged due to leakage of the godown at ICP Integrated-Check-Post, dripping water on the dried-fruits in the recent rains. That is what Anil Mehra said. This ICP is 3 km from Amritsar. The distant Attari-tiger is located nearby.

"We are heavily charged for keeping goods in the godown," Anil Mehra said indignantly. Yet this is the condition of the godowns. For a truckload of goods, Rs. 2,000 is charged. The goods are taken to the godown before they are unloaded. Yet this is the condition of the godowns.

In this regard, the official in charge of the godown said that the holes have been made to fit the nut-bolts as sola-panels are to be installed on the roof.

Afghan exporters, on the other hand, have asked Indian traders to send their money through Iran or the UAE (through its banks). Afghan exporters also need money, so this is a middle ground.