HERAT (Pajhwok Afghan News) – In retaliation of international sanctions, Iran has imposed new restrictions on exports to Afghanistan, affecting manufacturers in western Herat province, officials said on Wednesday.

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACC) head in Herat, Saïd Khatibi (سعید خطیبی), said Iran stopped exporting flour, sugar, detergents and petrochemical to the province two weeks back. He told Pajhwok Afghan News the restrictions on exports were imposed after prices of different commodities increased in the neighbouring country as result of economic sanctions against it.

“Unfortunately, Afghanistan is also suffering negative effects of the curbs. The halt to exports has deprived Herat-based industrial units of essential items and raw materials,” he added. 

A trader in Herat, Abdul-Hakim Dostizada (عبدالحکیم دوستیزاده), confirmed the export of 67 basic items to Afghanistan had been stopped. “The new regulations were imposed abruptly. Our convoy of commercial items, including 200 tonnes of sugar and 150 tonnes of washing powder, is not allowed to enter Afghanistan,” he complained.

Herat Industrialist’s Union Secretary Mir Mohammad Yaqub Mashof (میرمحمد یعقوب مشوف) said most of companies importing raw materials from Iran were faced with serious problems. Currently, 200 companies are operational in the Herat Industrial Park. Construction materials, motorbikes, oil, beverages, power cables, food items, kitchen tools and other items are among the major products of the Herat industrial units.