Iran Announces Readiness To Set Up Afghan Consulate In South Khorasan

The head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's mission in South Khorasan has said that the ministry is ready to set up an Afghan consulate in Birjand.

According to the IRNA news agency, Afsaneh Ebrahimi said that the offer has been made to the Taliban and that Iran is waiting for the group's response.

According to the IRNA news agency, Ebrahimi said that South Khorasan province "has proven its goodwill and brotherhood with Afghanistan in various ways, and we expect the other country to fulfill its commitments."

The head of the Birjand Chamber of Commerce has also said that out of the four borders and the border market of South Khorasan, only the Mahirud border is active. He called for the reopening of other markets by the Taliban.

Alireza Khamezar added, "Iran's exports to Afghanistan are equivalent to twice as much as Iran's exports to 15 countries in the world, and 600 items of goods are exported to the country's market, so this country is considered a very important capacity for the development of economic and trade relations."

‘Health Tourism With Emphasis On Afghanistan’

According to IRNA, the spokesperson of the Health Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has said that the establishment of health tourism with an emphasis on Afghanistan is being pursued.

Salman Eshaqi, in a meeting with the governor of South Khorasan province on Sunday evening, the heads of Farah chambers of commerce and a group of Afghan businessmen and investors said, "The capacity of health tourists can be used to improve the medical and health equipment of the province."

"If we go in this direction, the presence of more medical specialists in the province will be provided and valuable services will be provided to the people of Afghanistan," he added.

Ishaqi said that with the implementation of this plan, "the costs of transportation, accommodation and treatment of the Afghan people will be reduced, and we will also benefit from the presence of specialists and up-to-date medical equipment in the province".

‘Facilitating Conditions For Afghan Investors And Businessmen’

Tasnim News Agency also wrote in a report that the governor of South Khorasan has called for easing the conditions of movement for Afghan investors and businessmen. In a meeting with the Afghan delegation, Mohammad Reza Hashemi said, "So far, many investors from Afghanistan have invested in the Special Economic Zone, and we consider ourselves obligated to support investors."

Hashemi also said that the completion of the Farah road in Afghanistan will be followed up and completed as soon as possible, adding that the extension of the duration of the operation of the borders of South Khorasan province is also being considered.

He added, "Regarding the request for unrestricted movement for traders, investors, and workers at the borders of the province and the possibility of staying overnight at the Mahirud site, a list should be provided to us to be followed up by the Supply Council and the Border Affairs Organisation Working Group."

The governor of South Khorasan said that we are ready to conclude an agreement with Farah province of Afghanistan, and said, "All capacities will be used to develop and strengthen relations with this country." The fuel station of the Yazdan border market has been confirmed and is ready for refueling, and after the official announcement, the Afghan fleet can refuel.

The governor of South Khorasan also spoke about the number of Afghan students in South Khorasan universities, saying that the province hosts more than 800 students from Afghanistan in various fields, including medicine.