Negotiations on preferential trade between the two countries continue / Afghan cotton exports to Iran begin

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Tehran: Mahmoud Seyadat, head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, gave an explanation of the latest trade situation between Afghanistan and Iran in an interview with ILNA reporter and said: There are significant differences between the figures published by the Iranian and Afghan customs on the volume and value of trade between the two countries. However, Iran's exports to Afghanistan have increased by 30 percent this year compared to last year.

 

He also reported on the import of Afghan cotton to Iran and stated: Until about a month ago, there were obstacles to the entry of Afghan cotton into Iran, but with the removal of these obstacles, the entry of this product from Afghanistan to Iran has increased significantly. These obstacles were related to the laws of the Plant Protection Organization.

 

In describing the goods imported from Afghanistan to Iran, Sayadat noted: Afghans export to Iran horticultural products, livestock, dried fruits, building stones, mineral raw materials, especially zinc soil and lead soil. Of course, Afghanistan has now set obstacles for the export of mineral products, which we hope will be resolved. We are also trying to strengthen the import of light livestock from Afghanistan to Iran. However, the Afghan side welcomes the raising of livestock in this country with the investment of Iranians and its continued export to Iran or other destinations.

 

The head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce explained the latest border situation: The Mahirud border is smoother on the trilateral borders of Iran and Afghanistan, and the growth of exports and transit of goods through this border has increased significantly this year compared to last year. However, there is no unified management at the borders, and the heterogeneous policies of the supervising organizations create problems in the movement of goods through the border terminals and lead to prolonged transportation of goods, which can lead to serious damage to Iran-Afghanistan trade. We also hope that the free trade zone system will be established at the Dogharun border as soon as possible to facilitate trade through this border area.

 

He added: The construction of the second bridge at the Milk border has been stalled for years, and the asphalting of the road at the Mahirud border has been started for several years but has not been completed, and there is only an X-ray machine at the Dogharun terminal.

 

Regarding the implementation of preferential trade between Iran and Afghanistan, Seyadat clarified: "Preferential trade between the two countries has not been implemented. Of course, negotiations are still ongoing, but since Afghanistan needs customs revenues, it will not agree to reduce these revenues. It will also continue the policy of applying tariffs to support domestic production. As a result, evidence indicates that we will not witness the establishment of this model of trade between the two countries, at least in the near future."