Head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce: “Most Foreign Investments in Iran are Made by Afghans”

The head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce states that the majority of foreign investments in the country are carried out by Afghan traders and businessmen.

Samad Hassanzada, the President of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, mentioned that approximately 20 foreign investment requests have been submitted in Iran, most of which are from Afghan traders.

Speaking at a meeting of economic activists with the Deputy Chief Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassanzada highlighted the high level of interest from foreign traders in investing in Iran. He called on the judiciary to adopt appropriate measures to ensure the security of foreign investors. He also urged the Iranian government to seriously address the instability in investments and the security concerns of foreign traders and investors.

Hassanzada further noted that in recent years, Iran’s economy has faced numerous challenges, some of which are influenced by external factors and pressures, while others stem from the Iranian government’s misguided policies that require corrective measures.

The Joint Association of Iranian and Foreign Investments announced last year that out of 700 ongoing projects funded by foreign investors in Iran, 150 are managed by Afghan investors.

The association also reported that the activities of Afghan traders in Iran have doubled, with the number of projects implemented by Afghan investors in the past 10 months being twice as many as in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, part of Iran’s labor market is dominated by Afghan workers who contribute as a very cheap and effective labor force, working for minimal wages and benefits, thus playing a crucial role in Iran’s economy.

Previously, the Iranian government had announced that Afghan traders hold the top position in foreign investments in Iran, amounting to more than one billion US dollars. China and Iraq occupy the second and third positions, respectively.