During the online meeting, the two sides also discussed a regional initiative for developing cooperation in the field of unconventional water resources, including seawater desalination and the use of treated wastewater, according to news.moe.gov.ir.

Connecting the two countries’ electricity networks was discussed and approved at a recent meeting of the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management (RCUWM), hosted by Tehran.

In this regard, Al-Kaabi announced his country’s readiness for participating in this initiative and suggested that regular meetings would be held in the region’s countries so that experts could exchange information on related projects.

Further in the meeting, Ardakanian, who is also the head of the two countries’ joint economic committee, referred to the continuous exchange of electricity between Iran and its neighbors, saying that Qatar, at some points, has surplus electricity generation, which can be swapped with countries in the region, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq, through Iran.

Mentioning the possibility of linking the two countries’ electricity networks, Al-Kaabi said electricity transfer between the two countries is possible and this proposal should be worked on.

In my opinion, this idea is practical, and it is possible to implement it, he said.

“Regarding cooperation in energy and water, good areas of cooperation can be defined, with the presence of the private sector of the two countries,” the minister added.

“The two countries have many opportunities to promote ties in different fields, so if Afghanistan intends to develop these ties, Iran would be the best option,” Aminian said on Wednesday on the sidelines of “Water, Electricity and Renewable Energy Exhibition” in Kabul, reported Fars News Agency.

Pointing to the importance of Afghanistan’s market for the Iranian private sector, he added, “Statistics indicate that Afghanistan is importing about $3 million annually, so if the country provides a broader market for Iranian goods, Iranian producers are willing to cooperate with Afghan partners.”

The Water, Electricity and Renewable Energy Exhibition was inaugurated in Afghanistan’s capital on Tuesday.

Referring to the importance of developing Iran’s trade relations in the region as well as expanding non-oil exports, Deputy Industry Minister Hamid Zadboum, who heads the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) said that based on this important issue, the exhibition is being held in Kabul.

The opening ceremony of the specialized exhibition was held in the presence of officials and businessmen from both countries, he added.

A total of 100 Iranian companies are present in the exhibition to introduce their capabilities in related fields in order to develop the export of technical and engineering services and related industries to Afghanistan, Zadboum said.

 

He added that a 120-member delegation of Iranian businessmen in the field of energy and municipal services will have fruitful talks with the Afghan side during their four-day stay in Afghanistan.

The TPO head said that one of the goals of the exhibition is to develop urban diplomacy with Afghan cities.