Afghan Ambassador to Tehran Nasir Ahmad Nour has underlined the importance of Iran’s southeastern Chabahar Free Trade Zone for the transit of commodities to Afghanistan, stating that the port enjoys great transit, tourism and investment potentials.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Managing Director of Chabahar Free Trade Zone Mostafa Malekzadeh on Tuesday, Ahmad Nour stated that Chabahar Port, given its direct access to high seas and security, is the best option for the transit of goods to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
“Afghanistan is willing to increase its trade transactions with Iran through Chabahar Port, and the Afghan government has laid special emphasis on this issue. Chabahar Free Zone has also prepared the grounds for the presence of Afghan investors through allocation of 50 hectares of land,” the Afghan ambassador stated.
Malekzadeh, for his part, said Chabahar Port is the most secure, most economical, and the the nearest access route for the transit of goods to Afghanistan.

He added that the free zone offers such facilities as a 20-year tax exemption, easy investment conditions and permission for foreign banks and insurance agencies to operate.

Last week, Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industry Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady complained that his country cannot make complete use of Pakistani ports for the transit of Indian goods to Afghanistan despite trade agreements signed between Kabul and Islamabad.

Chabahar port -- located 72 kilometers (44 miles) west of Pakistan's Gwadar Port -- holds immense strategic and economic significance for India.

The port is already connected to the city of Zaranj in Afghanistan's southwestern province of Nimruz and can serve as India's entry point to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

By Press TV

 

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