Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $510 million to Afghanistan during the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-June 21), according to the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).Foroud Asgari said that Afghanistan was Iran’s fifth top non-oil export destination in the mentioned three-month period.In early May, Payam Baqeri, deputy head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), said that strengthening economic cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan will contribute to regional stability and create a framework for sustainable partnerships.He made the comments at a conference on Iran-Afghanistan trade opportunities, emphasizing the Chamber’s commitment to laying the groundwork for enduring commercial ties between the two neighboring countries.“Iran and Afghanistan can build a win-win partnership by leveraging their respective resources and capabilities,” Baqeri said. “Iran’s advanced industrial infrastructure and access to global markets, combined with Afghanistan’s mineral wealth, fertile land, and young labor force, make them natural economic partners.”Baqeri highlighted the shared linguistic, cultural, and historical bonds between the two countries, describing them as a strong foundation for economic growth, trade expansion, and durable relations. He added that expanding bilateral trade would support stability in the region and benefit future generations.“The outlook for Iran-Afghanistan trade is positive and promising,” he said, noting that official data indicates a significant increase in trade volume between the two countries in 2024.The ICCIMA deputy head described the Chamber’s role as a proactive facilitator of trade relations and strategic partnerships. He said the Chamber is committed to resolving trade barriers through dialogue with governments and enhancing commercial interaction by expanding business networks and holding joint trade events.He also voiced support for the creation of joint ventures across various economic sectors and said the Chamber was working with educational institutions to help train a skilled workforce in both countries.“Iran’s private sector, with a forward-looking perspective, is ready to participate in Afghanistan’s infrastructure, mining, agriculture, energy, and engineering projects,” Baqeri said.He called for Iran-Afghanistan relations to serve as a model for regional cooperation: “A partnership grounded in shared history and a vision for a better future can become a lasting and constructive alliance.”In a meeting with officials from the Taliban-led government on April 30, Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh said Iran is ready to export technical and engineering services in agriculture to Afghanistan.The minister told Afghanistan’s deputy agriculture minister in the meeting that the necessary infrastructure and capacity exist to transfer agricultural expertise and know-how to Afghan professionals. He noted that Iran and Afghanistan share deep-rooted cultural and historical ties and continue to seek closer cooperation in various fields.Nouri Ghezeljeh emphasized the need to establish a joint committee between Iran and Afghanistan, based in Kabul, to advance bilateral relations. “We must seriously pursue the expansion of ties between the two countries, particularly in agriculture,” he said, adding that cooperation agreements should be drafted and signed within the framework of the joint committee. (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: Tehran Times