Gonabad, IRNA – Iran should never surrender the untapped market of Afghanistan to its fierce rivals, and Tehran should utilize the current situation in the neighboring state to reinvigorating its own economy, an economic analyst believes.
Ali Amraie told IRNA on Monday that given the lack of human resources as well as economic and scientific management in the new government of Afghanistan, Iranian companies have a great opportunity to invest in infrastructure projects such as steel, iron, and copper industries to create a win-win deal with Afghan neighbors.
The expert also urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to discover existing capacities of the recent developments in Afghanistan to expand exports particularly mineral and metal products.
Afghanistan as a country, which has been involved in decades of conflicts, requires economic and industrial cooperation with neighboring states to improve its economy and infrastructure, he mentioned, noting that Iran can take the opportunity of change of power in the neighboring country to promote brilliant economic outlook for both countries.
The managing director of Sangan Mining Industries Company (SMIC) went on to say that Afghanistan enjoys the second largest copper mine and the biggest lithium mine in the world and that the neighborliness makes it profitable for both nations to expand trade ties.
The neighboring state also possesses remarkable gold, uranium, bauxite, zinc, and coal mines worth one to three trillion dollars, he said.
Given the fact that the Taliban are influenced by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, these two regional players may play a key role in the economic future of Afghanistan, Amraie noted, adding that Pakistan’s good relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran can pave the ground for promoting trilateral or multilateral economic collaborations.
China and India are other important players, which may turn into important trade partners of Afghanistan especially in industrial and reconstruction projects, the expert noted.
Afghanistan will increasingly need oil and basic goods as well as mineral imports; so, the Khaf-Herat Railway project can play a key role in expanding trade exchanges between Kabul and Tehran, he said, warning that economic sanctions on Iran can dissuade other countries to engage in economic alliances with the Islamic country.
As to the United States’ economic and political interests in Afghanistan, he cautioned that the US as a serious rival can challenge Iranians’ economic cooperation with their Afghan neighbors; therefore, Iran needs appropriate plans to develop trade exchanges with the neighboring country.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
