Tasnim � A high-ranking official at Afghanistan�s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said Tehran-Kabul cooperation in Iran�s port city of Chabahar is beneficial to the south Asian country.

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Imam Mohammad Virmach said the Chabahar Port is of high importance to Afghanistan because of its geographical situation and its short route for the country�s imports and exports.

It is to Afghanistan�s advantage to use the Chabahar Port for its imports, he said, adding that Afghanistan can also export precious gems, fresh and dried fruits, carpets and other goods via the port.

The Afghan official also hailed the Islamic Republic of Iran�s decision to accept Afghanistan�s request to use the Chabahar Port for exports.

Chabahar is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean and Iran has devised serious plans to turn it into a transit hub for immediate access to markets in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and Central Asia.

The governments of Iran, Afghanistan, and India in May 2016 signed the Chabahar Agreement, which is a regional transport network initiative.

It aims to create a reliable transport corridor for the smooth transport and transit of goods and services through Chabahar Port between the three countries.