Tehran, Kabul seek easier trade, closer economic ties
Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Qezeljeh called for easier two-way trade and goods transit, expanded trade ties and the holding of the seventh Iran-Afghanistan Joint Economic Cooperation Commission during a visit to Kabul on Friday, IRNA reported.
Nouri Qezeljeh, who heads the joint commission on Iran's side, met Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi to discuss ways to expand economic and trade ties between the two countries.
The two sides discussed facilitating bilateral trade and goods transit, expanding trade and creating conditions for greater private-sector activity in both countries.
Nouri Qezeljeh stressed the need to use the joint commission to pursue economic and trade issues and turn bilateral agreements into implementation plans. He also called for holding the seventh session of the joint economic cooperation commission, describing it as an opportunity to address obstacles, identify new opportunities and accelerate implementation of agreements between the two countries. The two sides also stressed expanding trade ties, strengthening links between the private sectors and using transit capacity to increase the flow of goods between Iran and Afghanistan. During his visit, Nouri Qezeljeh also met with Afghan traders, businessmen and economic and trade representatives to discuss opportunities and obstacles to expanding economic relations. Private-sector representatives presented their views and proposals on expanding trade, strengthening links between businesses and using existing capacities to develop economic cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan.
The meeting also focused on cooperation in agriculture, agricultural machinery and equipment, trade in agricultural products and stronger links between private-sector organizations in the two countries.
Nouri Qezeljeh said that direct contact between traders and businesspeople could help identify new opportunities and increase bilateral trade.
He invited Afghan traders and businesspeople to visit Iran and hold direct talks with Iranian economic and agricultural companies and businesspeople to further develop trade, investment and other forms of cooperation.
He also called for continued exchanges of trade and specialized delegations and stronger ties between chambers of commerce, business associations and economic actors in Iran and Afghanistan. The consultations in Kabul were aimed at expanding bilateral trade, facilitating exports and transit, strengthening the role of the private sector and laying the groundwork for broader economic cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan.