Afghan, Iranian officials discuss boosting trade cooperation

KABUL (Pajhwok): The governor of western Farah, Hafiz Mujahid, met with Iranian officials to discuss boosting trade and resolving related issues.

During his visit to Birjand, Mujahid met with Alireza Marhamati, Iran’s Consul General, the Governor of South Khorasan, Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemi, and other officials.

Discussions focused on trade development, economic cooperation, and the completion of joint infrastructure projects.

Hashemi described relations between Iran and Afghanistan as valuable, noting broad cooperation in security and economic sectors.

He highlighted the Mahirood–Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi trade highway as a key project and expressed hope for its swift completion.

He added that over 38% of Iran’s exports to Afghanistan pass through seven border crossings, employing around 3,000 Afghan workers, and that working hours at customs points have been extended from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mujahid said the purpose of his trip was to enhance bilateral cooperation, facilitate transit, and address traders’ difficulties.

He described the Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi port as both a trade route and a bridge of brotherhood between the two countries.

He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to ensure security and provide facilities for traders, calling the road project to the port an important step to increase investment and trade.

Representatives of the contracting company constructing the road requested bitumen, fuel, and budget support, noting that resolving these issues would allow completion of the remaining 17 kilometers of the 120-kilometer highway connecting the Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi port to Farah city.

At the meeting, Zakaria Taheri, Deputy Head of the Farah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged Iranian authorities to allow empty and mobile vehicles into the special trade zone, keep border gates open 24 hours, enhance customs coordination, improve road infrastructure, and distribute commercial stickers to streamline trade.

Mohammad Kohgard, Head of Customs in South Khorasan Province, added that in the past seven months, Iran imported 11 tons of Afghan goods valued at $43 million.

hz/sa