Export of oil derivatives to Afghanistan ceased

Tehran, Jan 12, IRNA – Director General of Customs Office of South Khorasan Province Mohammad Ali Khashi Qaleh said export of oil derivatives are ceased from December 22, 2014 due to the impediments created by Afghanistan. Export of oil derivatives to Afghanistan ceased He told reporters who were on an inspection tour of Mahi Roud Customs Office on Sunday that since the mentioned date Afghanistan has specified new conditions and standards for the export of oil derivatives to that country and given that conditions of producing companies are less in conformity with the set standards export of oil derivatives to that country has been ceased. According to him, Afghanistan has announced Euro 4 and higher standard for the import of gasoline and gas oil by that country. The official further added that consignments which had been loaded in 160 trucks prior that date have been ceased, adding that consultations are underway for the removal of the obstacle but so far no response has been made in this regard. He referred to the domestic political condition of Afghanistan as being among reasons for making such a decision for import of oil derivatives and said since the time of the election of the new Afghan president no government has taken shape yet and for this reason not a unified instruction is issued for different sectors. Stressing that this has created problems in the field of transportation as well as in government revenues, Khashi Qaleh said each truck with a worth of 5000 million rials should pay 30000 rials for each night of stop. He said shortage of manpower and credits as well as proper infrastructures are among problems of Mahi Roud Customs Office, adding that despite large demands from Afghanistan for transit of commodities, due to the mentioned shortcomings giving response to such demands is not possible. He put exports through this customs office in the first nine months of the current year at 1.034 million tons worth $526.832 million and said the figure showed an increase of 20% in terms of value and weight compared to the same period last year. According to him, gypsum, cement, wire products, tile and ceramic, pipe and foodstuffs are exported through this customs.