Iran, Afghanistan to hold joint trade fairs

BIRJAND, South Khorasan: Commerce Minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi said here that to further promote exports of non-oil from South Khorasan province, Iran will invite Afghan traders and businessmen to hold joint trade exhibitions to showcase the potentials of the two countries.

Speaking to IRNA, he said that one billion rials has been allocated for the purpose which will provide significant opportunity for promoting export between the two countries.

There are untapped economic potentials in the province which can be utilized with support from provincial as well as state officials, he said.

"We should take advantage of all existing capabilities to attain the real economic status of the province," he said.

South Khorasan province with about 400 kilometer of common border with Afghanistan is considered as an economic hub in the region capable of creating wide scale employment, he said.

Expansion of agricultural activities, telecommunications as well as broadening the authorities of some administrative offices in the province are some ways of reducing existing problems in the province, he pointed out.

Modernized and fully-equipped customs houses could help further promote exports from the province, he underlined.

"As soon as the ratifications on customs formalities are finalized, we would witness significant economic growth in the province," said the minister.