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TEHRAN- Ghadir Ghiafeh, Vice President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), at a meeting with the Deputy of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, proposed the establishment of a joint mining committee between the two chambers and the definition of a long-term program for cooperation in this field.
The Vice President of Iran Chamber, at the meeting with the Deputy of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, spoke about the significant mining capacities in Afghanistan and the need to pay attention to the area of joint investment between the two countries, and emphasized: Iran and Afghanistan must move beyond mere trade and focus on joint cooperation.
Ghiafeh, at the beginning of this meeting spoke about the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries and emphasized: Perhaps borders have created distance between the two nations of Iran and Afghanistan, but we have always lived side by side with a sense of brotherhood. Now at this stage of our relations, we must move beyond the exchange of goods and think about joint investment in infrastructure and mining sectors. On the other hand, processing and exploration of mines is a good area for joint cooperation between the two countries.
He referred to the construction of renewable power plants, thermal power plants, dams, various types of buildings, and generally the export of engineering and technical services from Iran to Afghanistan, and emphasized: Iran has 70 years of experience in mining industries, including copper processing, and good cooperation can be defined between the two countries through technology and knowledge transfer.
Ghiafeh, in addition to Afghanistan's mining capacities, pointed to the country's workforce and human resources, which can serve as a foundation for the country's rapid development.
The Vice President of Iran Chamber at this meeting proposed the establishment of a joint mining committee between Iran Chamber and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, within the framework of which a long-term mining cooperation of 5 to 10 years could be defined, leading to the development of Afghanistan's mining sector. Of course, in his view, both sides must be committed and faithful to the defined goals.
He noted: With this planning, I am confident that the level of relations between the two countries will increase from 3 billion dollars to 6 billion dollars.
Continuing, Mahmoud Siadat, Head of the Joint Chamber of Iran and Afghanistan, stating that Afghanistan's economic landscape is changing and growing rapidly, said: Capital that had left this country is now returning because security and confidence have been established, and Afghan traders and investors are striving to expand their activities in this country. In fact, Afghanistan has become a workshop of construction and growth.
He continued: In Iran, we must increase our readiness to meet the expectations of the Afghan side for supplying goods and services; in fact, an opportunity has arisen and we must seize it and increase our share of this market.
According to him, good events have been held in Kabul and other Afghan cities in recent months, and significant contracts have been signed between Iranian and Afghan traders. Movements and exchanges are proceeding at a good level, and it can be said that the relations of the Joint Chamber of Iran and Afghanistan with the mining, industry, agriculture, and trade chambers of Afghanistan have grown, and we are also witnessing the consolidation of the Joint Chamber of Afghanistan and Iran.
Siadat also announced the opening of the first investment company in Afghanistan, initiated by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
Afghan market is reliable for investment
In the next part of the meeting, Mirajan Suleiman Khail, Deputy of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, emphasizing that we must go beyond trade toward investments in industry, mining, and other sectors, stated: Perhaps investors have not yet found sufficient confidence to be present in the Afghan market. For this reason, with the aim of building trust, members of the chambers in Afghanistan have taken the lead in investing in this country, and we hope to gradually see the presence of foreign investors, especially from Iran.
He continued: For about 40 years, Iran has hosted the Afghan people and has stood by and supported the Afghan nation in all periods. Now if investment is to take place, priority is with them. Perhaps the necessary trust for investment has not yet been formed, so we invite investors to come to the Afghan market and become familiar with this market firsthand.
Kamaluddin Tohid, Head of the Joint Chamber of Afghanistan and Iran, also said: Iran's understanding of Afghanistan is greater than that of other neighbors. Therefore, we hope Iranians will enter the market, and we are ready to welcome Iranian traders and investors. Significant changes have occurred in Afghanistan that should be considered by Iranian traders and investors.
He continued: Afghanistan's mines are being divided and fragmented, which will be detrimental to the country's mining development path in the future. On the other hand, with the presence of companies from China and Uzbekistan, over 50 mines have become active. This is while we believe that priority for cooperation is with Iranian companies. Fortunately, the necessary security has been established and capital is entering this country.
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