Reacting to the U.S. pressure for decreasing trade exchanges between Iran and Afghanistan, Mr. Mir Mohammad Sadeqi said that due to commonalities of people of both countries and current potentials, Iran’s exports to Afghanistan could be three-folded.

IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

Pointing to the trade exchanges between both states and closure of an Iranian bank in Afghanistan because of the U.S. pressure, he said that he believes if Iranian traders could restore good ties with Afghan people, the U.S. cant do nothing to decrease trade because Iran has helped Afghans a lot in recent decades and their religious and language commonalities are strong points which can boost the interest for trade for both sides.

He went on to say that although the current exports of Iran to Afghanistan are not significant, but this volume of exports can be expanded and the country should not be content with the current level of trade.

Mir Mohammad Sadeqi added that it is a reality that Afghan people consider Iran as their second homeland and even Iranian businessmen did not feel uncomfortable in Afghanistan. He reiterated that Iranian traders should take advantage of potentials as they can triple exports to Afghanistan.

He underscored that businessmen should not pay any attention to rumors about the U.S. and their opposition with Afghan’s trade with Iranians.

Meanwhile Iran’s commercial counsellor to Afghanistan Mr. Mohammad Reza Karimzadeh said that Iran’s representatives are active in Afghan cities of Balkh, Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar.

He went on to say that Iran’s exports to Afghanistan stood at $2.7b in 2017 which topped other countries.

He went on to say that Afghanistan is Iran’s fourth destination for its exports, adding that last year some bans and restrictions were imposed and Farrah checkpoint was closed for imports of four items of goods.

Karimzadeh went on to say that the trade exchanges with Afghanistan is on the rise, noting that vehicles, auto parts, wheat, flour, sugar, apparel, vegetables, fruits, tobacco, metals and medicines are of the major Iranian exports to Afghanistan.

He also pointed to health tourism, reiterating that Afghans spend around $246m for their heath by undergoing medical treatment abroad and Iranians can take advantage of it.

He further said that Iran’s share of Afghan’s oil product imports is 20 percent, adding that Afghan government has banned imports of low quality fuel.

Karimzadeh claimed according to the recent statistics, Afghanistan has imported fuel worth $107b, adding the country needs 2.7m tons of fuel annually and Iran accounts for 20 percent of Afghans’ demands.

He reiterated that in terms of exporting cement to Afghanistan, Iran ranks second among cement exporting countries to Afghanistan.

He also called for registration of Iranian brands in Afghanistan for any illegal misuse.