Iranian Economic Delegation Visits Herat to Boost Trade Ties
A high-ranking Iranian delegation, led by Gholamhossein Mozaffari, governor of Khorasan Razavi province, arrived in Herat province on Wednesday, November 29. The two-day official visit follows an invitation from Herat’s local authorities and a prior visit by Herat’s governor to the Iranian city of Mashhad.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry office in the country’s northeast, the purpose of the visit is to expand cooperation in sectors including transportation, trade, customs, agriculture, industry, and healthcare services. Mozaffari is accompanied by 65 individuals, many of whom are private sector investors.
Iranian media reports that the delegation is expected to meet with local Afghan officials and participate in a joint business conference in Herat, which will also be attended by Afghan officials and investors.
At the start of the journey, the delegation visited the Dogharoon customs terminal in Taybad and the Rozanak railway station in Khaf county. They are also scheduled to tour various industrial and production facilities in Herat.
In preparation for the visit, Noormohammad Motawakkel, acting consul general of Afghanistan in Mashhad, met with representatives of Iran’s Foreign Ministry to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation and the details of the upcoming meetings.
While stronger trade relations between neighboring provinces of Afghanistan and Iran could improve local livelihoods, the absence of a legitimate central government in Kabul poses significant challenges. The Taliban administration, despite efforts to attract foreign investment, has failed to gain the trust of regional and global partners due to its repressive policies and lack of transparency in economic processes.
