Sistan Free Zone Seeks to Attract Afghan Business Investment

At the fourth International Industry and Trade Exhibition in Kabul, officials from Iran’s Sistan Free Zone worked to showcase the region’s economic potential in an effort to expand trade ties with Afghan businesspeople.

Hossein Sanjerani, managing director of the Sistan Free Zone, said on the sidelines of the event that the region’s strategic location and active transit routes could make it a key player in Iran-Afghanistan economic relations and even serve as a ‘second home’ for Afghan merchants.

He described the strong interest of Afghan participants in the Sistan Free Zone’s booth as a sign of growing enthusiasm for economic cooperation with Iran. Sanjerani added that the Kabul exhibition offers a new opportunity to launch strategic partnerships and joint investments. He also noted that several agreements signed during the exhibition could help pave the way for expanded bilateral trade.

The international exhibition, which opened on Monday, features dozens of domestic and international companies and institutions involved in industry, commerce, and services. Organizers have described the event as a critical opportunity to integrate Afghanistan’s economy with regional markets.

Meanwhile, Alireza Bikdeli, acting head of Iran’s embassy in Kabul, said that Iran’s key ports—such as Bandar Abbas and Chabahar—along with its rail networks are prepared to offer transportation services to the Afghan public.

Hossein Roustayi, Iran’s commercial attaché in Kabul, said that the participation of 40 Iranian companies reflects Tehran’s commitment to developing economic relations with Afghanistan. According to Roustayi, two high-level Iranian delegations have also arrived in Kabul for trade talks aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $10 billion.

Despite a pressing need for regional economic cooperation, the Taliban administration—lacking international legitimacy—has yet to establish a transparent, stable, and business-friendly environment for foreign investors. Continued political uncertainty and the absence of legal guarantees have led to lost regional opportunities or their monopolization for unilateral gain.