A senior Iranian trade official said Afghanistan could emerge as a significant market for Iranian industrial products in the coming two decades, provided the two countries expand joint investment and strengthen private-sector cooperation.
Qadir Qiafeh, vice president of Iran Chamber of Commerce, said during a visit to the 4th Imam Abu Hanifa International Exhibition in Afghanistan that long-term conditions in the country point to strong demand for Iranian-made industrial goods. “If joint investment is established and the roots of Iran’s presence in Afghanistan are reinforced, this market can grow substantially,” he told Iran Chamber of Commerce news portal on Monday.
He said Afghanistan’s landlocked geography gives Iran a strategic advantage in offering transit routes, while Kabul’s proximity to Iranian supply chains naturally positions Iran as a key provider of essential goods. These factors, he added, could be shaped into a stable and sustainable economic relationship.
Qiafeh also pointed to logistical obstacles hindering bilateral trade, including limited facilities and the need for 24-hour customs operations. He said such issues should be resolved through coordinated dialogue and more assertive engagement by the private sector.
“With active and continuous follow-up, I am confident that we can achieve tangible results,” he said.