Economic relations

Despite significant potential, bilateral French-Afghan trade remains very low due to mainly due to the security situation and the still uncertain Afghan legislative framework. French exports to Afghanistan reached 45.7 million euros in 2010. 45.7 million in 2010, a 10.5% contraction compared to 2009 due to a drop in sales of electronic, computer and agricultural products. These exports declined again in 2011 for 43.7 million. They represent less than 2% of French exports to South Asia. (even if many French goods are re-exported from Pakistan or Dubai). Imports, 1.5 million in 2010, representing a very limited financial volume.

However, several French companies are beginning to take an interest in the prospects for Afghanistan in the mining (considerable resources), raw materials and energy sectors (oil refinery), construction (cement), water (water supply and sanitation networks, particularly in urban areas), transport infrastructures or agriculture and food processing.

Among the major French groups present in Afghanistan are Airbus (2 airliners and 2 freighters), Thales (NATO secure telecommunications network) and Sagem (defense electronics equipment). There are also some SMEs, such as Feljas Masson for the water supply in Kabul.