The economic attaché at the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Mohammad Reza Karimzada, on Wednesday said Iran is offering an 80 percent discount in export tariffs to Afghan traders if they use Chabahar port.
 
Karimzada said the route from Afghanistan to Chabahar port was a lot shorter than that to Karachi port, in Pakistan, and Banda-r-Abas port, in Iran.
 
He also stated that there was good infrastructure and few problems relating to the transit of goods through Iran and that many businessmen were now using Chabahar port rather than Karachi port.
 
Karimzada also said that Iran is giving Afghan traders a 75 percent discount on import duties when using Chabahar, and were providing warehouse facilities and other services.
 
“A series of facilities has already been built at the Chabahar port and in order to encourage traders discounts are being offered for warehousing and services,” said Karimzada.
 
Meanwhile Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for an increase in logistics capacity at Chabahar – especially for large cargo ships.
 
“What is so important is that standard airports where large planes can land, and (a proper harbor where) cargo ships can dock, are not yet in place,” said ACCI deputy head Tawfiq Dawari.
 
According to the ACCI, the current trade volume between Afghanistan and Iran is worth an estimated $1.5 billion USD – which includes a large percentage of Afghanistan’s fuel that comes through Chabahar port.