Tehran, Kabul Working on Strategic Document on Developing Ties
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Afghanistan Ambassador to Tehran Abdul Ghafoor Liwal yesterday during meeting with Chairman of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Gholamhossein Shafei said that Iran and Afghanistan are drawing up a comprehensive strategic document on developing ties and the document will be prepared in five fields.
Liwal, who started his mission in Tehran about four months ago, met Mr. Shafei where he underlined the balance in trade between Iran and Afghanistan.
He said that if both countries are discontent with the current economic cooperation is because they are unfamiliar with each other’s potentials and both sides should first resolve this important problem which is a key step and it is possible through holding specialized meetings with presence of representatives from both countries, noting that dispatch of trade delegation is also effective.
He also added that Iranians’ view that Afghanistan has nothing to export is wrong, adding that lack of information about Afghanistan is the main reason for this concept.
Liwal also underlined using the capacities of Chabahar Port, adding that two Afghan banks are to open branches in this region to resolve financial problems.
He also pointed to the capability of Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber for covering all trade activities and cooperation among economic activists of both states. He reiterated that joint cooperation will eradicate illegal trade between Iran and Afghanistan.
Liwal went on to say that providing its necessary goods like fruits, red meat, agro products and solar energy, Iran can invest in Afghanistan.
He also announced that both countries are working on drawing up a comprehensive strategic document for developing relations in five fields like trade, transit and other economic issues.
Chairman of Iran’s Chamber Mr. Shafei, for his part, pointed to good brotherly relation between Iran and Afghanistan especially between their private sectors.
He added that Afghan officials are critical of current trade balance between both counties as the balance is positive for Iran and they are and both sides should resolve this problem for developing cooperation.
Shafei noted that he believes Iran should increase its imports from Afghanistan and it can be a bridge for re-export of goods and Afghan products to other countries.
He also criticized the current border problems, customs, quarantine and related sluggish systems which lead to heavy accumulation of goods in the border customs offices and urged officials of both countries to resolve those problems.
Shafei also pointed to the current unsatisfactory condition in the border regions of Iran and Afghanistan and announced the agreement between Iran’s Chamber of commerce and economy ministry for mechanizing the customs systems in the region.
He also pointed to the hidden capacities of Afghanistan especially mineral resources which can be good ground for sustainable cooperation between both states.
