Afghan Acting Commerce Minister urges expanded use of Chabahar port, says Govt contemplating five-year tax exemption for arriving industries

“We request the Indian authorities to assist make sure the commerce route from Chabahar Port is practical, in order that the commerce stays aggressive,” Afghanistan’s Acting Commerce and Industries Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi mentioned Friday (November 21, 2025) Representing a enterprise delegation at an occasion of the trade physique PHD Chamber of Commerce Industry (PHDCCI), he additionally known as upon the Indian non-public sector to make additional investments within the route to make sure its worthy prospects.

The use of Chabahar port in Iran is rising an crucial for the landlocked nation to avoid the usage of routes by way of Pakistan following tensions between the 2 nations within the current months.

Mr. Azizi additionally known as upon the Indian non-public sector to put money into Afghanistan. He talked about his authorities was contemplating to accord a five-year exemption from paying taxes to new industries being arrange in Afghanistan. He said the federal government in Kabul was already giving preferential remedy in tariffs for uncooked supplies and equipment related to their home industries.

Expanding use of Chabahar port

Mentioning concerning the Chabahar Port, Mr. Azizi mentioned the Afghan authorities was open to negotiations with U.S. to make sure continued operationality.

Late in October, New Delhi acquired a waiver on the U.S.’ sanctions in opposition to Iran’s Chabahar port for a interval of six months. Mr. Azizi said the momentary exemptions wouldn’t translate to “any actual discount” in prices.

“U.S. have frozen our $9 billion and they don’t seem to be returning. Pakistan compelled us to shut border, and U.S. factors to an alternate route we found being underneath sanctions, for the way lengthy ought to we undergo?” he said. For context, following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, U.S. froze $9.5 billion in belongings belonging to the Afghan central financial institution in its makes an attempt to avert the regime from accessing the cash.

Air freight hall operational

Speaking on the similar occasion, M. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary (PAI) on the India’s Ministry of External Affairs knowledgeable that air freight hall between Kabul and Delhi and between Kabul and Amritsar have been “activated” with cargo flights anticipated to start “very quickly”.

“This will considerably improve air connectivity and additional strengthen our commerce and industrial flights,” he mentioned.