A total of 2.84 million tons of goods worth $975 million have been exported from Sistan-Baluchestan Province since the beginning of the current fiscal year (March 21), registering a 20% and 22% growth in weight and value respectively year-on-year.
“The exported goods were mainly shipped from Zahedan, Mirjaveh, Milak, Chabahar and the free-trade zone’s customs terminals as well as Pishin, Gamshad, Kouhak, Jaleq and Rimdan-e Bankul border markets,” Mohammad Ali Khashi, a local official, was quoted as saying by IRNA on Nov. 29.
Cement, clinker, dates, gas, coriander seeds, raisins, grapes, biscuits and chocolates, tomato, detergent, plums, apples and other agricultural products were the main exported goods.
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Oman, the UAE and Russia were the main destinations.
The official noted that a total of 26,361 incoming passengers and 29,200 outgoing passengers crossed Milak, Mirjaveh and Rimdan-e Bankul border terminals during the period, which are 40% and 11% more compared with the corresponding period of last year.
A total of 27,552 trucks with 551,041 tons of cargo, including used car spare parts, Areca, black tea, fabrics, gas, rice, cumin seeds, other spices, solar panels and empty containers were transited through Milak, Mirjaveh and Chabahar customs terminals to Pakistan, Afghanistan, the UAE, Turkey and China. The number of trucks and the weight of their cargos are both 2% higher year-on-year.
According to Teymour Baqeri, another local official, Sistan-Baluchestan, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, is in close proximity with India and has high transit and economic potentials, making it a unique province for promoting international trade and transportation.
“The southeastern province’s checkpoints have been mostly active during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, and this alone speaks of their significance in the region,” he added.
A total of 1.5 million tons of commodities were exported via road from Mikal and Mirjaveh border crossings to Afghanistan and Pakistan during the last Iranian year (March 2020-21), according to another local official, Ayyoub Kord.
“Milak and Mirjaveh checkpoints accounted for 813,762 tons and 688,195 tons of the overall sum respectively,” he was quoted as saying by News.mrud.ir.
