TEHRAN — Iran says its exports to Afghanistan through the Dogharoon border crossing have increased by 31 percent since March, compared to the same period last year, according to Mehdi Shirdel, the mayor of Taybad in northeastern Iran.
“From the start of this year to the end of November, 1,070,437 tons of goods were exported to Afghanistan through the Dogharoon border,” Mr. Shirdel said as he addressed reporters on Sunday.
While Mr. Shirdel did not specify the total exports from last year, he noted that the increase represents a significant growth in trade between the two countries. Most of the exports to Afghanistan consisted of construction materials, fuel, and liquefied gas, he said.
Additionally, the transportation of goods through the border has seen a 26 percent increase compared to the same period last year, with 39,178 Iranian and Afghan trucks facilitating the trade.
Imports from Afghanistan to Iran during the same period totaled 65,594 tons, of which 63,054 tons were Afghan exports. This represents a more than sevenfold increase compared to the same period last year, Mr. Shirdel noted.
The Dogharoon border crossing, located 18 kilometers from the city of Taybad, is one of Iran’s top five economic border crossings and plays a significant role in the bilateral trade between the two countries.
While trade between the two nations has surged, economic analysts have expressed concerns about Afghanistan’s increasing reliance on imports. They warn that the imbalance could further entrench Afghanistan as a consumption-driven economy, hindering its long-term development.
