Afghanistan launches new export route to India via Iran

NEW DELHI: President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday flagged off the first consignment of Afghan exports to India through Chabahar port, saying the new trade route through Iran will help double his country’s exports to $2 billion.

The consignment will head to Chabahar from Zaranj city in Nimroz province. The 570 tonnes of cargo includes Afghan carpets, dry fruits, cotton, talc, stones and other items.

Ghani flagged off the convoy of trucks at a ceremony in Zaranj that was attended by the ambassadors of India, Iran and Turkey and diplomats of Indonesia and Kazakhstan, officials said.

Addressing the ceremony, Ghani said Afghanistan is not a landlocked country as it is the heart of Asia. The country is changing from an importer to an exporter, and with the opening of the Chabahar route, exports will increase from the current level of $1 billion to $2 billion in the next year, he added.

Indian ambassador Vinay Kumar said Afghanistan’s exports to India had increased 40% after the launch of an air corridor between Kabul and New Delhi.

Later, during a meeting in Zaranj, Ghani said an elite unit of the National Directorate of Security will be deployed to protect the route from Nimroz to Chabahar to ensure the safe movement of goods.

“Chabahar Day”, a business event to promote the port and the trade corridor, will be held at the Iranian port on February 26. India’s shipping secretary will lead the official delegation to the event, while CII is sending a delegation of 30 companies.