Trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran will prosper if peace prevails: WTC Kabul chairman

The WTC Kabul is committed to promote trade and investment between South Asia and Central Asia as it believes in promoting peace and prosperity in the region through commercial relations, the official said.

Mumbai: If peace and prosperity prevails, trade and investment among India, Afghanistan and Iran will grow four fold and it will also strengthen economic integration with the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), said Zabihullah Ziarmal, Chairman of the World Trade Center (WTC), Kabul.

The WTC Kabul is committed to promote trade and investment between South Asia and Central Asia as it believes in promoting peace and prosperity in the region through commercial relations, he said.

“We believe trade, investment, tourism, cultural and education linkages among countries in the South Asian region will normalise the political issues in the region,” said Ziarmal during an interaction with WTC Mumbai.

Ziarmal further informed that the mission and vision of World Trade Centers Association, New York, is to promote peace and prosperity through trade.

“If peace and prosperity prevails, trade and investment among India, Afghanistan and Iran will grow four fold and it will also strengthen economic integration with the CIS countries. India, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries should come together to develop road, railways and air connectivity to deepen economic relations,” he added.

Ziarmal pointed out that South Asia is rich in energy resources and he hopes the long awaited $10 billion TAPI natural gas pipeline project will see the light of the day soon. The project envisages transport of natural gas from Turkmenistan to India through a pipeline via Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In his address, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries pointed out, “Afghanistan can play a crucial role in India’s vision to attain $5 trillion GDP by 2028 and USD 40 trillion GDP by 2040. India’s trade with Afghanistan is hardly $997 million, which is far below potential. We can enhance trade and investment ties with Afghanistan through sea and air connectivity. Chabahar Port is a critical link to strengthen our trade with Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries.”

Dr. Kalantri further remarked that India is always a peace loving country and it wants to have cordial relations with its neighbouring countries. India believes in strengthening economic integration with neighbouring countries, including countries in the CIS and Asia Pacific region.”

Dr Kalantri suggested India, Iran and Afghanistan to invest in logistics, railway and air cargo facilities near Chabahar port as it can serve as a gateway to Central Asia and Europe. “Indian exporters can reduce freight cost and transit time to reach Central Asia and European markets via Chabahar Port. For better utilization of this port, Indian exporters need berthing facilities for ships, better warehousing facilities, banking and insurance facilities that are immune to US sanction and trade settlement in local currencies,” said Kalantri.