Iran’s cement smuggled to Afghanistan

Iran’s cement smuggled to Afghanistan
04 October 2004


The rate of cement smuggling is on the rise in Khorasan Province, Northeastern Iran, according to Iran Daily. The cement shortage in Khorasan has paralysed those involved in construction works in this large Iranian province with cement being sold at twice its normal price across the border into Afghanistan.

 The smugglers are currently active in the North and Northeastern provinces of Iran and it seems that they are too powerful to be countered by the officials. An official in Khorasan on condition of anonymity said: “When the leaders of the cement trafficking bands clearly threaten the officials, one cannot expect the officials to be able to fight them.”

Neighboring Afghanistan presently requires cement in great quantities for the reconstruction process and it can meet some of its needs by buying from Iran’s border markets with its much cheaper prices.

Published under Cement News