$16 million worth of exports made to Iran

KABUL (TOLOnews): The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) reported that Afghanistan’s exports to Iran from the beginning of the current solar year to the 10th of Saratan amounted to approximately $16 million, while imports from Iran were valued at $740 million.

Abdul Salam Javad Akhundzada, the ministry’s spokesperson, adds that both Afghanistan’s exports and imports with Iran have increased compared to the previous year.

The ministry’s spokesperson said: “Afghanistan’s exports to Iran from March 20 to June 30 of 2024 were about 16 million dollars, and imports from Iran during the same period amounted to 740 million dollars.”

At the same time, Iranian media reported a $123 million increase in the country’s non-oil exports to Afghanistan in the first three months of the current solar year.

The deputy head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines emphasized increasing tariffs on imported goods and working on marketing Afghan products in foreign markets.

Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, the first deputy of the Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “We can align our exports to increase at least our minimum exports. Additionally, the goods produced in Afghanistan should increase, and the tariffs on imported items should be raised so that domestic products can replace imported goods.”

Some experts consider Iran a significant economic and trade partner for Afghanistan and believe that increasing trade and transit exchanges with Iran benefits the country’s economy.

Abdul Zahoor Madbar, an economic expert, said: “One of Iran’s advantages for Afghanistan is its shorter distance and longer border. Having proper economic and strategic relations with Iran also facilitates the use of Chabahar Port.”

According to reports, Afghanistan is recognized as an excellent market for Iranian products, and traders from both countries are working to increase the volume of trade exchanges, especially the export of Iranian goods to Afghanistan.