At present, Afghanistan meets 16 percent of its needs from Iran, he said, reported Trend News Agency reported.
'Afghanistan's economy will benefit if Iranians to set up production lines here because the country has cheap labor force as well as energy,' Rasa stated.
'Trade imbalance between the two countries is a problem. We expect Iran to help us by reducing customs tariffs for Afghanistan to improve trade turnover.'
Iran's export to Afghanistan stands at $3 billion which accounts for 40 percent of Afghanistan's total import. The goods exported include consumer goods such as detergents, foodstuff, construction material, fuel, drugs, wood and plastic.
Afghanistan's major exports to Iran are fresh and dried fruits, herbals and saffron.
Iran and Afghanistan signed a trade deal worth $50 million last year.
Afghanistan seeks to import one million tons of diesel per annum from Iran while currently the figure stands at 200,000 tons. It is also seeking to buy 200,000 tons of LPG for which the price has yet to be settled.
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Tehran, March 5, IRNA – Iranian businessmen who invest in Afghanistan and move their production lines to that country will receive customs exemption, said Afghan Minister of Trade and Industries Homayoon Rasa.
