Tehran:Iran and Afghanistan could potentially expand their bilateral trade to approximately $10 billion, According to head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce. Current economic exchanges are already believed to surpass official figures.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Kamaloddin Tohid stated that the actual trade volume between the two countries is estimated to be between $3 billion and $4 billion. This figure does not account for significant transactions such as family remittances, technical and engineering services, and unregistered exchanges.

During a meeting with the head of Kandahar's Chamber of Industries and Mines and Khorasan Razavi's deputy governor for economic affairs, Tohid mentioned that exports of technical and engineering services from the Iranian province to Afghanistan could alone reach at least $500 million annually.

He also noted recent measures aimed at easing border restrictions, which have reduced cargo clearance and transfer times from up to a month to just two or three days, though he called for further improvements.

Tohid proposed the establishment of specialized trade exhibitions and permanent centers to display Iranian and Afghan products, alongside encouraging joint investments in agriculture, food processing, and mining.

Syed Mohammad Sarwar Amani, head of the Kandahar Chamber, emphasized Afghanistan's production of dried fruits and mineral resources as promising sectors for trade expansion. Khorasan Razavi Deputy Governor Reza Jamshidi pointed out the necessity for clear investment regulations and enhanced border coordination to maximize bilateral trade opportunities.

Source Islamic Republic News Agency