The inaugural session of joint committees aimed at boosting trade between Afghanistan and Iran took place recently

The inaugural session of joint committees aimed at boosting trade between Afghanistan and Iran took place recently. During this session, representatives from both countries convened to review previous agreements and address challenges. The meetings, conducted at the border customs of both nations, resulted in key decisions to elevate trade and transit levels. Both parties agreed to extend the working hours of the three border customs points—Islam Qala, Nimruz, and Abu Nasar Farahi and those on the Iranian side—from 8 to 16 hours daily. Additionally, a consensus was reached to significantly increase the number of daily vehicles transporting goods, raising the figure from 550 to 1,200. Another positive development in this session was the lifting of the 20-day ban on Iranian trucks entering Afghan territory. In a bid to promote trade, both Afghanistan and Iran announced the cancellation of certain fees. Iran eliminated a $104 entry fee, while Afghanistan waived 5000 Afghanis as an entry fee. This joint committee session is a follow-up to the agreements established during the official visit of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, to Iran some time ago. The Deputy PM's visit resulted in the signing of several MoUs aimed at boosting trade and transit levels between the two countries. Joint committees were established during that visit to oversee the implementation and follow-up of these agreements.