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| Afghanistan | |
| Ministry Heralds New Trade Deal With India, Iran | |
| 2015-05-14 | |
[Tolo] The Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) announced on Saturday that a trilateral trade and transit agreement is set to be signed between Afghanistan, Iran and India in the near future.
MoCI officials have said the agreement will allow Afghan trucks to travel to and from Chabahar port, increasing efficiency and cutting down transport time for important goods and vegetables that would have previously been brought through Pakistain. Officials have also said airlines will begin routes to Chabahar port, which lies in the south, just across the Iranian border. "The trilateral agreement is to expand trade and transit. Iran sent their ideas about it last week, so this agreement will be signed soon," MoCI transit director Muhammad Yahya Akhlaqi said. "We hope that with the signing of this agreement, our trucks will be able to go directly to Chabahar port, without any Iranian company partner. In the past, our trucks needed to be accompanied by Iranian companies." The trade agreement comes at a crucial time for the Afghan economy, which faces high unemployment, government budget shortfalls and stagnant growth overall. Analysts have applauded the pending deal as a major step in the right direction for international trade ties, but have warned about its political implications as Afghanistan has relied on Pakistain's trade routes for most of the past. "Chabahar route is way more beneficial for our trade and transit relations with India and Iran," Chamber of Commerce and Industries Deputy Chair Muhammad Younus Mohmand told TOLOnews. "The Government must finalize this agreement as soon as possible, so that we can expand our trade relations with these two countries." Afghan officials have assured the public that the terms of the agreement are strict, allowing Afghan trucks to go to Chabahar port even if they have no bank guarantees, high transit fees and insurance. | |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #1 Any story involving ministries or ministers needs a minstrel show graphic. Just sayin'... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2015-05-14 07:51 |