INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN Discussions aimed at strengthening economic ties between Iran and Afghanistan took center stage this week in Kabul, as the head of
Iran's diplomatic mission, Alireza Bikdeli, participated in high-level meetings with key Taliban officials.A main focus of these
conversations was the enhancement of trade and financial investment
Bikdeli consulted with Afghanistans acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, who made a strong appeal for increased
cooperation from Iranian businesses.Azizi stressed the requirement for a distinct, joint roadmap to facilitate a substantial expansion of
trade between the 2 neighboring states, highlighting the potential for mutual economic benefit
He suggested exploring new avenues for partnerships in various sectors, urging Iranian business to consider Afghanistan as an essential
market and investment destination.In action, Bikdeli verified Iran's undeviating commitment to prioritizing its relationships with
surrounding countries, a core concept of its diplomacy, and revealed a desire to work carefully with Afghanistan to achieve these shared
objectives.Earlier, Bikdeli likewise met with acting Foreign Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani to talk about a wider series of matters of mutual
interest, additional showing the depth and scope of the bilateral engagement.The ongoing efforts to strengthen these ties come at a time
when Iranian non-oil exports to Afghanistan have reached a significant $1.6 billion, a figure tape-recorded by the Islamic Republic of Iran
Customs Administration as of November 20, 2024.
