Afghan official: Afghanistan imports $1.5 billion goods from Iran

He made the remarks during his visit to the development project of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar, reports IRNA.

Afghanistan annual export to Iran, especially from Sistan-Baluchestan is 36 million dollars, he said.

Popal said that visits of Afghan officials to Iran, especially to Sistan-Baluchestan province, is facilitating investment and development of bilateral relations and plays an important role to pave the way for trade cooperation.

He said that the aim of his visit to Chabahar is to consider investment opportunities in the port and Chabahar Free Trade Zone, following up implementation of the MoUs signed between the two countries to activate border markets.

Director General for Ports and Maritime Organization of Sistan-Baluchestan Behroz Aqaei said that considering suitable position of Chabahar, it would be a gate for Afghanistan and Central Asian countries to the Indian Ocean.

Aqaei said that loading and unloading capacity of the port will increase soon from 2.5 million tons to 8.5 million.

Director General of Afghanistan Customs Department is paying one-day visit to Chabahar accompanying delegation from Afghan private sector activists and directors of Customs department from Herat and Nimruz provinces.

Chabahar Port city located in south of Sistan-Baluchestan province and is neighboring Pakistan from East and Oman Sea from South and has 260,000 population.
It located 645 kilometers south of Zahedan, capital of the province.