Afghan and Iranian Women Entrepreneurs Agree to Boost Trade Cooperation

In Herat, Afghan and Iranian women entrepreneurs have agreed to strengthen commercial cooperation, increase the production and promotion of handicrafts and goods made by women, enhance their professional skills, and boost exports.

According to the Herat Chamber of Women’s Commerce and Industries, the goal is to involve all women entrepreneurs across Afghanistan in these joint business efforts.

Behnaz Saljoqi, head of the Herat Chamber of Women’s Commerce and Investment, said: “Being neighbors with Iran has positively influenced women’s business activities. If we engage in joint investments and specialized programs, it will help strengthen the capacity of women entrepreneurs.”

Several women entrepreneurs in Herat hope that this collaboration will help increase their product exports to Iran.

They note that despite progress, there are still serious challenges to exporting women-made handicrafts and products from Herat, which have hindered their business growth.

Sadeqa Sadeqyar, a woman entrepreneur in Herat, said: “Women face challenges in exports, they cannot export their goods directly. Today we discussed removing some of the restrictions on women-led exports. We hope that women will also be able to export their goods to Iran and other countries just like men.”

The commercial activities of Afghan and Iranian women entrepreneurs are being carried out under the umbrella of the Afghanistan-Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce.

Officials from the joint chamber say they have provided all necessary facilities to help expand trade among women entrepreneurs.

Neda Shirin, a member of the women’s committee of the joint chamber, said: “We are working on building women’s capacity, that is our main goal. We believe women entrepreneurs in both Afghanistan and Iran can help sustain and expand trade between the two countries.”

In recent years, women’s entrepreneurial activity in Herat has significantly increased.

According to the Herat Chamber of Women’s Commerce and Industries, over 500 women have launched business ventures, creating job opportunities for thousands of women and girls.