HERAT CITY (SW): Traders in western Heart province claim the cost of imports via Iran has been reduced by some 60 percent thanks to the removal of sanctions over Iran.
Officials at the Herat Chambers of Commerce and Industries has said that since the European Union and the U.S. lifted sanction over Iran, the cost of a single goods’ container via Iran to Afghanistan has reduced from $ 2500 to $ 700 only.
Saed Khatibi, Head of Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Herat said that more than 100 goods’ containers that contain reconstruction materials and foodstuffs, are imported on daily basis. He said these containers came from Europe and Asian countries. “Imports via Iran are mainly coming from China, India and a number of gulf states”, he said.
Khatibi said that since the sanctions have been lifted over Iran, the trickle-down effects are likely to leave positive impacts on Afghanistan as well.
“In the past, we were charged around $ 2500 for a single container until it reached Bander-e-Abas in Iran, nowadays the fare has come down to $ 700.” he said.
He added that since the cost of imports to Afghanistan has decreased, it would also increase exports to other countries via Iran. He further said that since the sanctions are lifted, now Afghan businessmen can transfer their money via international banks to trade with Iranian firms.
Hamidullah Khadem, Head of Herat Labor Union, while criticizing the government, said that despite the fact that import costs have fallen, the prices of imported goods have not changed in Afghanistan.
Naseer Ahmad Farahmand, a university lecturer, also believed that removal of sanction over Iran will pave the way for Afghan businessmen to develop the economy of the country.
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