Cooperation in reconstruction of the war ravaged land of Afghanistan,
and assisting the newly liberated people of that country are among the
subjects only recently highlighted as a humanitarian and social duty,
especially regarding the financing of various projects. Incidentally,
there seems to be little room for concern, especially because Iran - as
Afghanistan's oldest friend and neighbour - took the forefront by committing
$650 million of credit, which according to some, has been the most effective.
No doubt, financing is the first step, and its utilisation requires short-term and urgent programmes from one side, and exploitation and long-term programmes in line with regional specifications from the other; as the next step in the way. Clearly the final step has been set. This move requires necessary tools for implementation of programmes. These tools include construction material and equipment, skilled work force which can, and should, be provided by the regional and international partnerships.
Experience and research results show that the most productive and profitable of such partnerships are those of which one side - considering the unique position of Iran in the reconstruction of Afghanistan - are Iranian individuals and companies. It is clear that partnership between British companies and such Iranian companies should be given considerably higher priority compared to companies from other countries. As a result, it seems Irano-British and British-Iranian chambers of commerce could, and should, do whatever at their disposal to promote more investment and production partnerships, to not only help with the reconstruction of Afghanistan, but also to finally compensate for still existing disparities, and to help create a better bilateral trade relationship, and to level the trade imbalance between Iran and Britain. It is only this way that the two countries can expand their trade relations by meeting consumer demands of the neighbouring countries, and also export markets elsewhere in the world.
Dr. Amir Houshang Amini
