Iran exports to Afghanistan six times more than to EU

Mohammad Safee Delui said in an exclusive interview with ILNA news agency that Iran should not be negligent of trade with neighboring states especially countries like Afghanistan, adding that Iran’s exports to Afghanistan last year was six times more than its exports to Europe states. He said Iran’s exports to EU countries stood at less than $500m last year and its imports were around $490m while the country’s exports to Afghanistan were around $3b.

He added that Iran’s relation with neighboring states has been ignored by the officials of the foreign ministry while these economic and political relations in the current sanction era can reduce most of the exercised pressures on the people.

The member of Iran's parliament pointed to the inauguration of Khaf-Harat railway which connects Iran and Afghanistan by rail, saying that developing rail connection with countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Central Asia can get Iran closer to its target markets in those countries and it is necessary to have planned.

Safei Dalui, who is Gonabad and Bajestan constituency representative to Parliaments, further said that expansion of railway and rail fleet is one of the major plans of Parliaments deputies, noting that rail transportation is cheaper than other transportations especially in transporting goods.

He termed the inauguration of Khaf-Herat railway as one of the national achievements, noting that in implementing this project or similar projects, Iran should use Chinese investing companies that have performed successfully in the construction of roads and railways in recent years.

The Iranian official reiterated that domestic capacity and contractors are the priority in the projects and in case of need, the country can use foreign investors and contractors.

He noted that using foreign investors along with domestic investors would accelerate implementation of developmental projects in the country.

END