Afghan nationals are responsible for half of Iran’s foreign Investment in 2022 alone, stated, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the special envoy of the Iranian President for Afghanistan on Thursday.
Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the special representative of the Iranian President to Afghanistan said in his remarks, “Afghan nationals in Iran play a pivotal role towards the national economy. Half of Iran’s foreign investment comes from them, therefore, the high capacity of Afghan citizens should be utilized when the country is facing difficulties in attracting foreign investment.”
Mr. Qomi further added that during the past year the United Arab Emirates expelled 700 Afghan businessmen from this country, whose capital was estimated at $30 million. Unfortunately, we failed to attract this capital and embrace Afghan traders to invest in Iran.
Currently, Iran is plagued with a major challenge in attracting foreign investment. To address the issue the Iranian government needs to come up with a comprehensive policy to ensure that Afghan business owners can legally run their businesses and other economic activities without facing hurdles. In the past, the bank accounts of Afghan citizens were blocked for vague reasons which was a big blow to foreign investment.
The estimated assets of Afghan businessmen and companies operating in Khorasan province is around $1 billion according to the announcement of the Association of Afghan Economic Activists in Razavi Khorasan. This is a massive amount. To capitalize on the existing opportunity by providing work permits, visas, and license to Afghan citizens, Iran can attract more foreign investors from Afghanistan, the region, and beyond.
Iran is the home of thousands of Afghan citizens including business people, students, and refugees. Besides the increasing problems Afghan refugees are currently faced with, they have lived in peace and harmony for many years in Iran.—KP
