South Khorasan Plays Key Role in Expanding Iran-Afghanistan Economic Relations

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the Birjand Chamber of Commerce, Khamehzar emphasized the importance of South Khorasan as a border province in strengthening regional economic ties, noting that the province “plays a vital role in expanding Iran’s economic relations with Afghanistan.”

Khamehzar stated that South Khorasan, due to its geographical proximity and shared cultural, linguistic, and religious heritage with Afghanistan, can serve as a “gateway for sustainable economic cooperation” between the two nations.

He described the current environment as a golden opportunity for expanding trade and investment, pointing to Afghanistan’s renewed focus on economic growth and cross-border partnerships.

Highlighting South Khorasan’s export potential—including agricultural products, construction materials, engineering services, and knowledge-based goods—Khamehzar said Iran’s exports to Afghanistan have exceeded $3 billion in recent years, with South Khorasan accounting for a significant share.

“Nearly 50 percent of the province’s exports are destined for Afghanistan,” he noted, adding that sustained trade requires improved border, customs, and commercial infrastructure.

Khamehzar stressed the critical role of the private sector as the driving force of economic development. “The Birjand Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with ICCIMA, stands ready to provide the necessary foundation for expanding trade, scientific, and technical cooperation,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to national and provincial institutions—including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Planning and Budget Organization, local governors, Members of Parliament, and private sector leaders—for their contributions to organizing the summit.

Khamehzar emphasized that Iran-Afghanistan cooperation should not remain limited to the exchange of goods. “We must adopt a scientific, technological, and sustainable approach to economic relations,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of academic partnerships, training skilled human resources, establishing research and development units, and transferring technical expertise as key pathways for the future.

The active participation of Iranian universities, Afghan academic delegations, and higher education officials at the summit was seen as a promising step toward joint educational and research collaborations.

Khamehzar also called for the development of border markets, specialized customs centers, and special economic zones along the South Khorasan–Afghanistan frontier to facilitate trade and strengthen regional security.

“These measures,” he said, “will not only streamline border commerce but also enhance the economic stability of the entire region.”

Describing the joint summit and exhibition as the result of synergy among public, academic, and private institutions, Khamehzar expressed hope that the event would lead to the signing of new trade agreements and the launch of joint projects between Iran and Afghanistan.

“With a strategic outlook and national support,” he added, “South Khorasan can become an economic hub in eastern Iran and a gateway for sustainable trade with neighboring countries—especially Afghanistan.”

Addressing the summit, Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director-General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said South Khorasan and Afghanistan’s Farah Province—like Khorasan Razavi and Herat—can establish joint provincial commissions to expand local economic cooperation.

Bahrami emphasized the need for coordination between political and economic policies to strengthen bilateral ties:

“For sustainable development, political and economic strategies must advance in tandem. Economic relations should ensure mutual benefit and long-term stability for both nations,” he said.

The summit reaffirmed South Khorasan’s pivotal role as a strategic bridge in Iran-Afghanistan relations, fostering both economic growth and regional stability.