Experts, Official Discuss Future of Economic Ties With Afghanistan

The Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan has got many companies and businesspeople in Iran worried as to the future of commerce between the two neighboring countries.
Experts on Afghan issues and officials from the Iranian private sector urge merchants and businesses to wait out this period of instability before taking any measures.
Hossein Salimi, the head of Iran-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce, says whether Iran’s annual exports worth around $2.4 billion can continue will depend on future events, transformations and power shifts in the neighboring country.
“No matter what group takes over, Afghanistan will still need foodstuff, construction materials and home appliances. Other than the border checkpoints with Iran, the country does not have any significant, properly structured borders with its neighbors through which the Afghan population’s demands could be met. Therefore, Iran will remain its main gateway for the country to import its required commodities,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.