The forum for Iranian and Afghan trade officials was held by Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Kabul, where the two countries' private sectors signed 28 memorandums of understanding valued at a total of $451.8 million across various economic fields.
Addressing the forum, the head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mahmoud Siadat stressed the need to strengthen economic relations between the two countries, use existing capacities to develop bilateral trade, increase private sector cooperation and expand joint investment.
Referring to the importance of strengthening communication between the two countries' economic actors, Siadat described the development of trade interactions, identification of new investment opportunities, and facilitation of negotiations between economic enterprises as important areas for expanding bilateral cooperation.
He said that in this framework, developing exports of goods and services, exporting technical and engineering services, industrial and agricultural cooperation, and using logistics and transit capacities can help strengthen economic relations between Iran and Afghanistan.
Siadat added that the economic capacities of Razavi Khorasan province, the strategic position of Sarakhs and Dogharoun free zones, and the capabilities of the province's companies in production, industry and specialized services provide a suitable ground for developing trade and investment cooperation between the two countries' economic actors.
More than 180 Iranian economic and trade figures are currently in Kabul, with their main aim being to participate in the Abu Hanifa International Exhibition, where Iran has an active presence this year.
The exhibition runs until October 13 at the Afghanistan International Expo Center.
During the exhibition days, contracts between Iran and the Afghan side will also be signed.
M.Pakravan - H.Hakimzadeh
