Afghanistan likely to open consular office in Kolkata

Speaking to reporters at a meeting organized by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Afghanistan's Ambassador in India Sahida Mohammad Abdali said: "I have suggested to my government to open a consular office in Kolkata. It is likely to boost trade relationship between Afghanistan and Kolkata."

Abdali said he will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday and put forward a proposal for an agreement for according Kolkata the 'sister-city' status to Afghanistan's Mazaresarif city.

"Both Kolkata and Mazaresarif have similarities. They are fast developing cities. I will meet the Chief Minister tomorrow and propose her to make a 'sister-city' relationship between the two cities," he said.

Speaking on an  alternative transit route, he said: "Pakistan is the current route. However, the draft MoU transit trade agreement had been submitted to Iran by India and Afghanistan over the issue of Chabahar port."

He said India has offered USD 200 million to upgrade the Chabahar port in Iran.

Abdali invited businessmen from Kolkata to grab the business opportunity in the Asian country.

"We want you all to grab the business opportunity and develop  trade relationships between India and Afghanistan," he said.

He said the bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan is likely to touch USD 3 billion in future.

"If Chabahar port  gets operational then we will witness an increase in the trade between two nations," he said.

(Reporting by Supriyo Hazra Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)