Afghan and Iran customs committees meet to resolve issues

The office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs said on Sunday that meetings of the joint committees between Afghanistan and Iran have been held and previous agreements were discussed in order to resolve problems and expand trade and transit relations between the two countries.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) stated that it was agreed that customs units at the three border crossings – Islam Qala, Nimroz and Abu Nasr Farahi – and the Iranian side, will remain open for 16 hours a day, up from eight hours.

Also, an agreement was reached between the two countries for the purpose of increasing exports and imports, so that the number of vehicles transporting goods on a daily basis would increase from 550 to 1,200.

In these meetings, the 20-day ban on Iranian trucks entering Afghan territory was also removed. Both parties also announced the cancellation of some fixed fees for the purpose of promoting business, the office said.

Iran has scrapped one fee of $104 dollars (5,000 afghanis).

The aim of these meetings is to follow up on the agreements made with Iranian officials during the last visit of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Economic Deputy of the Prime Minister, to Iran.

During Baradar’s visit to Iran, a number of memoranda of understanding were signed to increase trade and transit between the two countries, and it was also agreed to appoint joint committees to follow up on issues.