Salehi: Completing Infrastructure Is Essential for a Leap in Iran–Afghanistan Economic Relations
According to the Sedaye Sama News Agency, the fourth International Imam Abu Hanifa Exhibition of Afghanistan was held for four days in Kabul, organized by the country’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment. The event showcased the capabilities of various countries in the energy sector and other fields to interested visitors.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Hamidreza Salehi, Chairman of the Board of the Iran Energy Export Federation, pointed to the lack of sufficient infrastructure for a leap in economic relations between the two countries, stating: “It is essential for the private sectors of Iran and Afghanistan to urge their governments to provide the necessary infrastructure for broader cooperation.”
Emphasizing the significant potential of both countries, Salehi added: “Iran has a high level of LPG production and the capacity to export it, while Afghanistan has an urgent need for this product. Therefore, accurate needs assessment and proper planning for timely imports and exports are of great importance.”
He stressed the need for establishing a joint investment mechanism between the private sectors of the two countries, led by chambers of commerce, associations, and joint committees. “Several projects in Afghanistan have been implemented by Iranian companies over the past years, and today Iran’s private sector is ready to participate in supplying electrical equipment, technology transfer, and joint production,” he said.
The Chairman of the Energy Export Federation noted that member companies of the federation can play an effective role in completing Afghanistan’s unfinished projects. He further said that forming joint consortia for electricity sales can ensure return on investment within a few years.
Salehi highlighted the necessity of strengthening connectivity between the two countries, including the completion of the Taybad–Herat power line. He noted that Iran has achieved strong capabilities in fields such as panel manufacturing, cable production, and transformer manufacturing, and that production lines for these equipment can be established in Afghanistan. The two countries can also cooperate in design, engineering, and execution of communication and infrastructure projects.
He added that exporting Iranian power industry equipment, even in the field of high-voltage relays, is feasible, stating that the presence of Iran’s private sector in Afghanistan’s electricity projects could usher in a new chapter in bilateral relations. There is also potential for cooperation in thermal power plants and renewable energy.
On the sidelines of the event, a $100 million cooperation agreement was signed between the Iran Energy Export Federation and the Afghanistan Construction Companies Union. The agreement includes collaboration in various technical and engineering fields, and, if necessary, financing of projects.
It is worth noting that Hassan Kazemi, board member, and Keyvan Joudi, Secretary-General of the Energy Export Federation, also attended the exhibition. The Secretary-General gave multiple interviews to Afghan media to present the federation’s capabilities.
News compiled by Habibeh Rahimiyan
