KABUL: Afghan Mines and Petroleum Minister Daud Shah Saba called for Iran’s investment in Afghanistan’s mining sector.
The Afghan minister made the remarks in a meeting with Valiollah Afkhami-Rad, the director of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI), in Tehran.
Saba said his country attaches priority to the neighboring countries specially Iran for the expansion of trade and economic ties.
Referring to Iran’s experience in different industrial and mining sectors, the official called on Iran for training Afghan manpower in these fields.
He further said that establishment of industrial estates is necessary for Afghanistan’s growth and development and asked for Iran’s help in this due.
Afkhami-Rad, for his part, said Iran is ready to help Afghanistan in the mining sector.
He said Iran can help Afghanistan exploit iron ore and process it for the production of iron ore concentrate.
The official further stated that Afghanistan imports cement from Iran. Given that there are many cement production plants in Iran, the country can establish some plants in Afghanistan as well for the production of cement in the neighboring country.
He also said: “We have 700 industrial estates in Iran and can have some fruitful cooperation with Afghanistan in this due.”
Afkhami-Rad mentioned establishment of direct airlines between the two countries necessity for the expansion of Iran-Afghanistan trade ties.
