RASC News Agency: Mahmoud Sayyadat, President of the Iran-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce, announced on Tuesday that over 50% of the foreign-registered companies in Iran are owned by Afghanistani citizens. He further stated that Afghanistani businessmen have invested more than three billion dollars in the country.
According to a report from the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), Sayyadat remarked, “Today, more than 50% of the foreign companies registered in Iran are Afghanistani companies.” He added, “The largest foreign investors in Iran are also Afghanistani.” Previously, a senior Iranian official had highlighted this issue, which sparked significant reactions among the Iranian populace.
Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, Afghanistani businessmen have extensively invested in Iran. This level of investment reflects the confidence Afghanistani entrepreneurs have in Iran’s business environment. In an interview with ISNA, the President of the Iran-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of utilizing private sector organizations in trade with Afghanistan and promoting the activities of the joint chamber between the two countries.
He stated that Iran has supported Afghanistani traders. Mahmoud Sayyadat believes that supporting Afghanistani economic activists and leveraging their capabilities is essential for the economic growth of both Afghanistan and Iran. He said, “The connections and challenges of Afghanistani individuals in Iran need to be addressed. They are our greatest asset for Iran’s future in Afghanistan.”
This comes as numerous Afghanistani businessmen and investors have relocated their companies and significant portions of their capital to various countries, including Iran, following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. The Taliban, however, claim to have created a conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investment in Afghanistan and are striving to encourage Afghanistani businessmen to bring their capital back to Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, Afghanistani businessmen not only refrain from transferring their assets back to Afghanistan, but they also avoid returning to the country out of fear of arrest and torture.
