Chabahar, End ‘Economic Dependence’ On Islamabad

KABUL: (MEP) Chabahar port in the distance of 900 kilometers of Afghanistan is located in the south east of Iran, the distance makes the Afghanistan’s business ways 800 kilometers shorter to export and import goods in comparison to the port of Pakistan’s Karachi.

Now that the latest development agreements of Chabahar port in Iran’s Makran coast of Oman has been finalized and because of the importance of this strategic port for the three countries and the countries of Central Asia, as a likely next month in Kabul, senior officials from all three countries will be signed.

Afghanistan is a drought country that its businessmen due to the problems of importing and exporting goods from the sea, have no other way than the port of Karachi, Pakistan.

Therefore, the traders currently, export, import and transit their goods through the port of Karachi to India, Central Asia and Europe.

A country that its exports rate is high and relies on imported goods, should have access to several different transit routes.

Unfortunately, Afghanistan have always had various political, social and economic problems with Pakistan and these problems still persist and the merchants have no other way apart from Pakistan to import and export their goods and somehow on economic matter as well as transit needs, Afghanistan depends on Pakistan.

Pakistan as India’s deep-seated rival, does not allow the business drivers to transfer the Indian goods through Pakistani territory to other areas; although transit agreement signed between the two countries, but Pakistan as well as all other matters, has infringed the signature.

However, Chahabar’s issue has been heated now more than ever and this route, as an alternative remembered to Karachi.

Chabahar is the nearest port to Afghanistan and in addition to the proximity to the Pakistani port of Karachi and Bandar Abbas, Iran, the Kabul government will get rid of the economic dependence to Islamabad.

This requires the development of Chabahar should be activated and transit activities, draw railway as well as forming infrastructure capacity for ships with high tonnage.

Then, Afghanistan will be able to transfer raw materials and consumer goods from Central Asia to South Asia especially India, using the port. Even though India is a major industrial country in terms of food and fruits is rich; but Afghan businessmen face major challenges by trading Indian products and Pakistan does not allow to exchange trade with India via its soil.

The process of creating and stopping the vehicles of Afghan businessmen in Pakistan, has repeatedly happened and this approach caused many losses to the traders.

For this reason, and for the importance of Chabahar port, businessmen and commercial sectors, officials of the National Unity Government (NUG) leaders have asked the Transit Agreement between Kabul and Islamabad to repeal or revise it.

Economic problems and the use of the port of Karachi were not only for Afghan traders but for Indian businessmen and government as well.

The similar problems of Afghanistan and India has been an action to change Kabul’s and New Delhi’s aspect towards Chabahar port and to consider Iran’s Makran coast.

In Chabahar, 50 hectares of land were recorded for 130 commercial companies in Afghanistan in the past year and have been granted.

India after May 2016 and signing an agreement with Iran, will invest more than 85 million dollars in equipment phase of a development project of Chabahar port and for 10 years of operation will be responsible for this phase.

Noting that the Makran coast for Afghan traders will be one of the shortest, cheapest and most economical route for trade with India and Central Asia as well as Europe, India is also due to unfriendly relations with Pakistan, using this port to disregard most of its rival.

However, we can say that the economy Chabahar port in the less economically dependent on Islamabad and keeps the government open for any action.