Iran is the biggest exporter to Afghanistan and this year’s exports have reached $1.5 billion, according to Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment statistics.
Electrical appliances, raw materials for production, petroleum products and foodstuff are the main commodities exported from Iran to Afghanistan.
ACCI says this year Afghanistan’s exports to Iran reached $17 million, which shows a 50% increase compared to last year.
“We have been exporting goods to Iran for 30 to 35 years, but still Iran does not import some important goods. Iran has put high tariffs on Afghan goods. We ask Iran to give us preferential tariffs like other countries,” said Mohammad Younes Momand, the head of ACCI.
Officials of Herat’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment said Afghanistan’s exports to Iran are mostly dried fruits, agricultural products and coal, which they are striving to increase, TOLOnews reported.
“Iran had been one of the countries to which we make the most export. 40% of exports from the southwestern provinces, which include marbles, dry fruit and agricultural products, have been exported to Iran,” said Mohammad Yunus Ghazizada, the head of Herat’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
Commenting on the potential for economic growth, Abdul Nasir Reshtia, an economist, said, “If attention is paid to the packaging and standardization of domestic products, there is no doubt that we can export more to the neighboring countries and to the world.”