HERAT CITY (SW): Following growing U.S. pressure on Iran, the smuggling of dollars from Afghanistan to Iran has surged phenomenally.
Bahauddin Rahimi, head of forex traders in Herat, informed a number of Afghan traders are lured into smuggling dollars to Iran by the fast devaluation of the Iranian currency and the eventual profit. He informed legally, Afghans are legally allowed to carry up to $ 20,000 or equal amount abroad while Iran allows entry or exit of $ 10,000 or equal.
According to the head of forex traders in Herat, transfer of $ 10,000 can result in profit of up to 500,000 Iranian tuman, which is why the smuggling is on the rise. Rahimi added transfer of around $ 3 million on daily basis to Iran via Herat has also led to shortage of dollar in Herat and devaluation of afghani.
Hameedullah Khadim, head of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Industries, has also expressed concerns over this matter. He added the devaluation of Iranian tuman has also compelled the Iranians to convert their reserves into dollars.
Local officials vow they do not allow smuggling of dollar to Iran.
ENDS
