Afghanistan–Iran Trade Reaches $5 Billion Amid Expanding Economic Ties

A ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution was held in Herat province.

Local and Iranian officials at the event said that with the facilitation of procedures, trade between the two countries has increased.

According to Iran’s Consul General in Herat, with the development of the Herat–Khaf railway, the volume of trade exchanges between the two countries is expanding.

Ali Reza Marhamati, Iran’s Consul General in Herat, said: “Last year (1403), we transported about 5,000 tons of goods per month, and now this figure has reached more than 90,000 tons.”

Local officials in Herat say that in the current solar year, the volume of trade between Iran and Afghanistan has reached $5 billion.

According to the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, trade relations between the two countries are growing.

Mohammad Naser Amin, head of the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, said at the ceremony: “Trade and industrial activities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan have increased, and I can say that this year our transactions will exceed $5 billion.”

Iran is recognized as Afghanistan’s largest trading partner, and most commercial goods are imported either from Iran or through Iran into Afghanistan.

Sayed Agha Farzan, an economic analyst, said: “It is beneficial for both countries because we need to import certain raw materials from Iran, and Iran also needs raw materials available in Afghanistan. The border we share with Iran is considered the most independent economic border between the two countries.”

According to local officials in Herat, with the continued closure of crossings with Pakistan, Iran has become a key route for the transfer of commercial goods to Afghanistan, and a large portion of the country’s needs is imported from Iran.