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Tehran urged to revise tariff policies, facilitate Afghan traders
AT-KABUL: The second joint Afghan-Iran trade fair, organized by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) in cooperation with the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, was kicked off here on Tuesday.
The exhibition will continue for four days. Several and different Afghan and Iran goods such as machinery, beverages, dry fruits, handicrafts, cosmetics, dairy products, blankets and medicines have been put on display in the expo.
Second Vice President Sarwar Danish voiced his pleasure over running of the joint exhibition and termed it a great step for boosting commercial ties between the two countries.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, he asked Iran to revise the tariff-related policies regarding Afghan goods and provide the required facilities to Afghan traders in Iran aimed at increasing trade activities between the two neighboring countries.
Afghanistan presents good opportunities to foreign investors, particularly for Iranian businessmen. Kabul and Tehran are enjoying political, religious, cultural and social ties for long time. Organizing such exhibitions will enhance ties further, Danish said.
The Iranian vice president for executive affairs Mohammad Shariatmadari said that his country is ready to boost up commercial and trade relations with Afghanistan in different areas.
He encouraged Iranian traders to invest in Afghanistan and have long term educational and technical cooperation with Afghan traders.
ACCI’s Deputy Khan Jan Alkozai said that Tehran has helped Kabul at critical times and currently around 45 percent of Afghan goods are transported through Iran.
He said that commercial deals between Iran and Afghanistan are improving, but not balanced as Afghanistan’s import from Iran stands at $1.6 billion and its export is touching only $60 million.
He urged Iranian traders to invest in partnership with Afghans on resources in Afghanistan and get advantage of the available opportunities.
ACCI deems such exhibitions vital for growth of commercial ties between Afghanistan and Iran, he underlined.
The goods have been put for display in over 115 booths and it is open for general public.
