Start of Iranian investment in Afghanistan's mines
Chairman of the Iran-Afghanistan Chamber: Ghazanfarbank has been issued a principled license to operate in Iran, but for reasons such as the banking laws of the two countries and the fact that Iran is not a member of the FATF, Ghazanfar Bank could not have a branch in Iran.
According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, Seyed Hossein Salimi, referring to the decrease in trade between Iran and Afghanistan this year, said: Iran exports three to two billion dollars a year to Afghanistan, which this year due to the coronary conditions probably to two and nine billion The dollar arrives.
"Afghanistan exports 40 percent of its imports from Iran," he said. "Iran exports food, construction materials and some fuel to Afghanistan."
The head of the Iran-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce added: "We are looking to increase trade relations with Afghanistan, and one of the measures taken is to invest in Afghanistan's mines." Afghanistan has rich and pristine mines that can be invested in these areas to increase the income of Afghans and then everyone can have more purchases.
Salimi said: "Iranians have started investing in two projects in Afghanistan and a production line of soft drinks has been set up in Afghanistan."
Referring to the impact of Chabahar port in increasing Iran-Afghanistan relations, he said: "In previous years, this port was almost closed, but today some of the goods needed by Afghans reach their people through this port."
The head of the Iran-Afghanistan Chamber continued: "Chabahar port has been a great help to the people of Afghanistan to provide cheap basic and essential goods." Therefore, some Afghans have also invested in the port of Chabahar and are establishing shelters in this port, a trend that is expanding, which in addition to helping the Afghan people, will increase employment in Iran, especially in Sistan province. And becomes Balochistan.
Referring to Iran's rivals in the Afghan market, he stressed: "Although Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan, it can not be a rival to our country in trade relations." We are currently witnessing an increase in China's trade with Afghanistan.
Salimi added: "Turks have recently entered the Afghan market and these two countries are offering cheap goods to Afghanistan."
Regarding the entry of Afghan banks into Iran and the issue of setting up a Ghazanfarbank branch in Chabahar, he said: "It is not possible for Ghazanfar Bank to enter Chabahar at the moment and Arian Bank is not allowed to operate in Afghanistan due to sanctions."
Salimi added: Ghazanfarbank has been issued a principled license to operate in Iran, but for reasons such as the banking laws of the two countries and the fact that Iran is not a member of the FATF, Ghazanfar Bank could not have a branch in Iran.
He emphasized: At present, the relations between the two countries are carried out through exchange offices.
Regarding the obstacles to setting up a Ghazanfar Bank branch in Chabahar, Salimi said: "Today, one of the most important rules for setting up a bank branch in another country is that the destination country is a member of the FATF, but Iran has not yet joined this working group."
He stressed: Afghanistan is a member of the FATF and complies with money laundering laws, but Iran is not a member, so Afghanistan can not have a bank branch in Iran.
* ILNA
