Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said that Afghan traders are bringing in fewer goods from Europe and Turkey via Iran in the wake of Washington’s new sanctions against Tehran. According to traders, this has had a negative impact on Afghanistan-Iran trade ties. The ACCI said not only were Afghan traders suffering but foreign traders were also feeling the pinch as their trade volume through Iran’s Bandar-e-Abbas and Chabahar ports to Afghanistan has dropped considerably. ACCI officials said this is because foreign companies are afraid of the repercussions they could face if dealing through or with Iran.
Afghan traders had plans to increase the volume of imports and exports to Iran, China and European countries through Bandar-e-Abbas and Chabahar ports, but following the new US sanctions on Tehran, the situation has changed. “Our traders are afraid that if they export goods to China and European countries through Chabahar Port, they might face with challenges in transferring money. Although it is has not been said officially which parts of the sanctions will affect our transit ties, our traders are concerned and this issue should be made clear,” the head of exports development department at ACCI said. According to Afghan officials, after the implementation of US sanctions on Iran it is possible that Iran’s banking relationships will be cut with the world and problems will be created in money transfer and that Afghan traders are now more wary about trading with and through Iran. Reports indicate that by next month the US’s new sanctions on Iran will be enforced completely – a move that has sparked serious concern among Afghan traders.
