Hamidullah Akhundzada, the acting minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), met with Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the Iranian ambassador and special representative to Afghanistan, and they discussed the development of bilateral relations, sustainable cooperation in the field of transportation, and creating more facilities in the field of land and air transportation, according to a statement issued by MoTCA.

The statement said that the two sides also stressed increasing Afghanistan's exports to Iran through road and rail transportation, and using Chabahar port for the export and import of commercial goods of Afghanistan.

“There was discussion about the transportation and that the time period for transit at the ports between Afghanistan and Iran should be increased,” said Imamuddin Ahmadi, spokesman for the MoTCA.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) said that within one year, approximately $1.739 billion in trade has been conducted with Iran.

According to the MoIC’s spokesman, Akhundzada Abdul Salam, of $1.739 billion trade with Iran, $25 million was Afghanistan’s export.

“$25 million was exported and $1.714 billion was imported. Our exports included cotton, thread… raisins,” he said.

The Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that high tariffs at the custom offices are the main reason for the reduction of Afghanistan’s exports to Iran.

“We have less exports to Iran because of high tariffs on commodities and Afghan products. There are negotiations in this regard,” said Mohammad Younus Momand, deputy head of ACCI.

Earlier, a delegation led by the deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, on a visit to Iran signed some agreements with government and private sector officials of the country.