04 December 2012
Development of Chabahar Port in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province will have a significant influence on the livelihood of the neighboring nations' people, particularly Afghans from Nimruz province, said Afghanistan's finance minister.
Speaking at a meeting with Iranian foreign minister in Zahedan on Sunday, Omar Zakhilwal praised Iran's cooperation in reconstruction of Afghanistan, IRNA reported.
He urged for promotion of bilateral trade, adding it will have a significant effect on the livelihood of border dwellers.
Iran and Afghanistan boast of ancient and historical relations, because they enjoy common culture, language and religion, he added.
He put Afghanistan trade with Iran at $2 billion annually.
"Our forces in customs departments are ready round the clock to clear goods pertaining to Iran and Afghanistan businessmen and companies."
He urged for construction of another bridge near Abrisham Bridge (over Hirmand border river) to facilitate traffic of freight trucks.
Zakhilwal said Chabahar Port plays a great role in development of neighboring nations. "Therefore, we have encouraged the businessmen to invest in Chabahar."
Currently two projects are being implemented by Iranian engineers in Afghanistan including Herat Railroad, he said, adding currently, three sections of it are underway.
He hoped that the fourth section will be completed soon.
He said construction of the road "Mill 78" which will be connected to Farah road, Farah province with a length of 120 km is another project.
Zakhilwal continued saying that the ban on exporting live livestock from Afghanistan will be removed within two weeks.
He said Kabul Airport conducts eight direct flights to Dubai, six to India, three to Turkey, and one to Pakistan per day, whereas the numbers of Iran-Afghanistan flights are lower which should be raised.
On Afghan businessmen's frequent trips to Chabahar and Zahedan and reactivation of Chabahar-Milak route, he said, it is necessary to launch Zahedan-Kabul flight.
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, for his part, said development of Chabahar Port is of high importance to Iran and Afghanistan. "Therefore, Iran has made huge investments in Chabahar."
He said Iran's Foreign Ministry plans to take serious steps to render better consular services to Afghani people, and added construction of the second bridge along Abrisham Bridge is underway.
Milak Terminal has been declared as special economic zone, he said, expecting Afghan government to create special economic zone on the other side of the border to facilitate bilateral trade.
Also, the head of Nimruz Chamber of Commerce said Milak marketplace and terminal play a significant role in facilitating trade and increasing cargo transit from Iran to Afghanistan.
He explained that over 800 trucks enter Afghanistan via Dogharoun border in Khorasan Razavi province, whereas only 150 trucks enter the country via Milak Border in Sistan-Baluchestan.
He said compared to Dogharoun border, a lower number of trucks ply Milak-Zaranj border, adding the number should rise to 400.
Relations with Afghanistan have improved since the fall of the Taliban. Iran has played an active role in Afghanistan's reconstruction, and there are also deep ties in language, people and culture.
Iran is also strongly against the American military presence in Afghanistan.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about 1 million Afghan refugees live in Iran.
Since late 2001, the Afghan government under Hamid Karzai has engaged in cordial relations with Iran. Afghanistan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate general in Mashad.
Iran and Afghanistan plan to build a new rail line which will connect Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province to the Afghani capital of Herat and eventually to Kabul.
In 2009, Iran was the fourth largest investor in Afghanistan. It mainly implemented projects pertaining to road and bridge construction as well as developing the country's agricultural sector and providing health care.
Iran exports oil products, cement, constructional materials, carpets, home appliances, and detergents, while it imports nuts, carpets, agricultural products as well as handicrafts.
Afghanistan imports 90 percent of its requirements, except agricultural products.
Development of Chabahar Port in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province will have a significant influence on the livelihood of the neighboring nations' people, particularly Afghans from Nimruz province, said Afghanistan's finance minister.
Speaking at a meeting with Iranian foreign minister in Zahedan on Sunday, Omar Zakhilwal praised Iran's cooperation in reconstruction of Afghanistan, IRNA reported.
He urged for promotion of bilateral trade, adding it will have a significant effect on the livelihood of border dwellers.
Iran and Afghanistan boast of ancient and historical relations, because they enjoy common culture, language and religion, he added.
He put Afghanistan trade with Iran at $2 billion annually.
"Our forces in customs departments are ready round the clock to clear goods pertaining to Iran and Afghanistan businessmen and companies."
He urged for construction of another bridge near Abrisham Bridge (over Hirmand border river) to facilitate traffic of freight trucks.
Zakhilwal said Chabahar Port plays a great role in development of neighboring nations. "Therefore, we have encouraged the businessmen to invest in Chabahar."
Currently two projects are being implemented by Iranian engineers in Afghanistan including Herat Railroad, he said, adding currently, three sections of it are underway.
He hoped that the fourth section will be completed soon.
He said construction of the road "Mill 78" which will be connected to Farah road, Farah province with a length of 120 km is another project.
Zakhilwal continued saying that the ban on exporting live livestock from Afghanistan will be removed within two weeks.
He said Kabul Airport conducts eight direct flights to Dubai, six to India, three to Turkey, and one to Pakistan per day, whereas the numbers of Iran-Afghanistan flights are lower which should be raised.
On Afghan businessmen's frequent trips to Chabahar and Zahedan and reactivation of Chabahar-Milak route, he said, it is necessary to launch Zahedan-Kabul flight.
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, for his part, said development of Chabahar Port is of high importance to Iran and Afghanistan. "Therefore, Iran has made huge investments in Chabahar."
He said Iran's Foreign Ministry plans to take serious steps to render better consular services to Afghani people, and added construction of the second bridge along Abrisham Bridge is underway.
Milak Terminal has been declared as special economic zone, he said, expecting Afghan government to create special economic zone on the other side of the border to facilitate bilateral trade.
Also, the head of Nimruz Chamber of Commerce said Milak marketplace and terminal play a significant role in facilitating trade and increasing cargo transit from Iran to Afghanistan.
He explained that over 800 trucks enter Afghanistan via Dogharoun border in Khorasan Razavi province, whereas only 150 trucks enter the country via Milak Border in Sistan-Baluchestan.
He said compared to Dogharoun border, a lower number of trucks ply Milak-Zaranj border, adding the number should rise to 400.
Relations with Afghanistan have improved since the fall of the Taliban. Iran has played an active role in Afghanistan's reconstruction, and there are also deep ties in language, people and culture.
Iran is also strongly against the American military presence in Afghanistan.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about 1 million Afghan refugees live in Iran.
Since late 2001, the Afghan government under Hamid Karzai has engaged in cordial relations with Iran. Afghanistan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate general in Mashad.
Iran and Afghanistan plan to build a new rail line which will connect Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province to the Afghani capital of Herat and eventually to Kabul.
In 2009, Iran was the fourth largest investor in Afghanistan. It mainly implemented projects pertaining to road and bridge construction as well as developing the country's agricultural sector and providing health care.
Iran exports oil products, cement, constructional materials, carpets, home appliances, and detergents, while it imports nuts, carpets, agricultural products as well as handicrafts.
Afghanistan imports 90 percent of its requirements, except agricultural products.
© Iran Daily 2012
