The Role of Southern Khorasan' Economic Geography in the Appearance of Iran' Eastern Economy Idea (With Emphasis on Afghanistan)

پژوهش ‎های جغرافیای سیاسی

Article 3, Volume 3, Issue 4 - Serial Number 10, March 2019, Pages 69-100   

Document Type: مقالات علمی -پژوهشی

DOI: 10.22067/pg.v3i10.73781

Authors

Nasser Yusefzehi^{* 1}; Hossein Farzanehpour²; Ahmad Bakhshi²

¹Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

²University of Birjand

Abstract

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Afghanistan's tenacity in the eastern Iranian Economy has been the re-emergence of the eastern provinces in the country's foreign trade over the past one and a half decades. In the eastern economy, provinces like Sistan and Baluchistan, Kerman, South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan and North Khorasan. This research aims at to examine the position of South Khorasan in the eastern Iranian economy, by the theoretical framework of economic geography. In fact, the aim of this study is to consider the economic status of the provinces and eastern parts of Iran in the economic development and regional trade plans. Considering regional geoeconomic and geopolitical competitions in Asia and global events such as the new US sanctions, the second aim of this research is to explore the economic position of the eastern countries of Iran in economic development and regional foreign trade planning. Researchers in the fields of economics, geography and politics have not paid attention to these issues.  Therefore, the main importance of the research is the attention to the significant role of South Khorasan and Afghanistan in Iran's economy, and explicating it within the framework of the new concept of the Eastern Economy. "Iran's Eastern Economy" is the new concept of this study to emphasize on the geoeconomic importance of eastern countries and provinces in the development of national economy and foreign trade of Iran. Geography of Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia are central areas of Iran's eastern economy. In this article, only Afghanistan is concerned.
The main question of this article is as follows: What are the environmental abilities of South Khorasan to expand Iran-Afghanistan economic relations? It should be said that cultural commonality and the most common border with Afghanistan, besides having border markets, proper security, and geopolitical and geostrategic status, are among the effective capabilities of the province to promote the commercial relations of the two countries. The significance of the present paper is to give an overwhelming and a transnational role to South Khorasan.

Review of Literature

Our theoretical framework is the economic geography. Economic geography is a branch of human geography that has been in place since the early twentieth century as an independent branch of geography. Subsequently, an important part of the geography was devoted to population, geography, agricultural geography, industrial geography, business geography and commerce. Scholars believe that understanding the geographic space that is influenced by human actions is mainly done through the study of economic geography, because the formation of geographic space and its consequences can be influenced by the demands for human productivity from the environment. Productivity could not be out of the reach of economic, geographical subdivisions because the subject under consideration was economic geography, forms of production, and places of consumption of all kinds of products at different levels. Therefore, most of the geographical implications of today are focused on the trades and power of different global, regional and national economic systems.
The authors of the paper have attempted to provide an overall analysis and evaluation of the content of the studies that are relevant to our discussion. A number of studies have focused on issues and micro levels of the South Khorasan economy, such as industry, markets, households, tourism, and local development. Others have focused solely on the economic capabilities of South Khorasan. The emphasis of this paper is on the transnational role and importance of the regional level of this province. Of course, the starting point for analyzing this research, like other studies, is the level of local abilities, but unlike them, it provides transnational results. Also, this research in the context of non-economic, political economy, while linking politics and economics, seeks to link these two areas with geography, security and culture.

Method

The method of analyzing the data in this paper is the causal method. In this method, the results and consequences of research data are important. Therefore, by expressing and describing the capacities of South Khorasan, they analyze their role in Iran-Afghanistan trade interactions. Afterwards, among the techniques of observation, questionnaires, interviews and data collection libraries, the recent tools such as librarianship have been used.

Results and Discussion

The main issue of this research was to study the role of the economic geography of South Khorasan on economic relations between Iran and Afghanistan. The purpose of this issue was to focus on the area of ​​the "Eastern Regional Economy". Current and recent events in the region and the world indicate the instability of Iran's relations with the West, especially the United States. The focus of government officials on expanding and resuming relations with Western countries failed to do the expectations of the Iranian people. The dominance of the Western approach on the Eastern economics of Iran's foreign policy has a variety of reasons, including the weight of Western countries. This is important because, in some respects, the economic and political relations of the Eastern countries, including Afghanistan (at the present time) with Iran, are somehow influenced by the anti-Iranian American discourse.
 According to the findings of this study, the Eastern Territory (Afghanistan and South Khorasan) can be useful in facilitating and deepening the country's regional interactions. The territory of the East (Afghanistan and South Khorasan) can be fruitful in facilitating and deepening the regional interactions of the country. Although Kabul-Tehran's economic relations are heavily influenced by the US-sponsored and US-backed discourse against Iran, inevitably Import of goods from Iran is particularly fueled for the country (Afghanistan), due to lack of proper manufacturing infrastructure, as well as increased demand for its consumer market and the existence of geographic, cultural, and convergent factors. What can make this link more robust is the role of eastern provinces, such as South Khorasan.
The political, cultural, security and geographic location of the South Khorasan is a good basis for attracting more investment from foreign countries, especially Afghanistan. The expansion of Afghan investment of 2013 So far is promising the brilliant future of this province in the economic interactions of the two countries. This is important in relation to the role of the other eastern provinces, Khorasan Razavi and Sistan and Baluchistan, in increasing the export of Iranian goods to Afghanistan.

Conclusion

To the same extent as the South Khorasan plays an important role in the relations between Iran and Afghanistan, it equally affects the process. The boost in exports to Afghanistan, in particular, the country's first target market for goods in South Khorasan, has resulted in increased revenues from the province, including taxes and customs duties. Therefore, the increase in trade between the two countries will mean the growth of southern Khorasan in the long run. On the other hand, the impact of the economic development of this province on improving the economic interactions between Iran and Afghanistan is undeniable. To achieve these goals, it is proposed that special attention be paid to eastern provinces such as South Khorasan, Sistan and Baluchistan in domestic and foreign policy making of Iran. The Iranian government should strive to expand the exchanges and rail lines of the eastern provinces with the western provinces of Afghanistan. The view of securitization to these provinces must be reduced and the economic view replaced. With economic investment in the eastern provinces, dependence of neighboring countries in the east of Iran will increase.

Keywords

southern Khorasan; Iran; Afghanistan; East Political Economy

References

1. Abbasi, A. (2012). Geopolitical and geo-local elements in the development of bilateral relations between Iran and Afghanistan. Geopolitics Quarterly, 8(3), 182-215 [In Persian].

2. Afrakehteh, H. (2017). New Economic Geography and Explaining Regional Inequality in Iran. Geography (Geography of Iran), 15(54), 61-78.

3. Akbari, Q. & Et al. (2016). Provincialization of elections; centralization or decentralization, with emphasis on electoral districts of South Khorasan province. Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 11(41), 23-48 [In Persian].

4. Alamdar, A. & Et al (2014).Analysis of the role of border markets in expanding the security of the border regions, "Case study: Mahirud border market, Sarbisheh city, South Khorasan. Geography and police, 2(8), 25-50 [in Persian].

5. Alamdar, I. & Emran R. (2015). Analysis of the Functioning of the Border Markets from the point of view of the passive defense with an Emphasis on the role of the Boundaries; Case Study: Maeirud border market of South Khorasan' Sardeh. Social-cultural Studies of Khorasan, No. 35, 86-55 [In Persian].

6. Arab, H. (2011). Analyzing and explaining the cultural components of the Great Khorasan and its impact on national security in the north east of Iran. The Great Khorasan Research, 12(2), 31-73. [In Persian].

7. Bastanirad, H. (2010). Interdisciplinary Education and Research in Historical Geography. Journal of Iranian institution of History, 1(4), 25-47.

8. Bijari, M. And Ali, Naseri (2007). Investment Guide for Southern Khorasan. Tehran: Organization of Investment and Economic and Technical Assistance. [In Persian].

9. Ebrahimby Salami, Gh. (2005). Prospects for Sustainable Development in Eastern Iran. Geographical researches, No. 77, 65-46 [In Persian].

10. Fakhimzadeh, H (2014). Feasibility Study of Agritourism in South Khorasan Province, By Using Analytical Hierarchy Process Model AHP. Indian journal of sociology research, N0:7, 959-964.

11. Fallsoliaman, M. And HajiPour, M. (2015). Strategic planning of economic sectors for regional development using SWOT model, case study: industry and mining sector in South Khorasan province. Housing and rural environment. 34(150), 89-100, [In Persian].

12. Fars news Agency (2015). 6500 Afghan citizens are living in Birjand and Khosf. Date of visit: 1/6/1397. News code: 13940319001062. Access link: farsnews.com/other_media/news/13940319001062 [In Persian]

13. Golmohammadi, F. & Sadat Miri, F. (2015). Resistive Economy and Security with Emphasizing On Job Creating and Its Role in Sustainable Social and Economic Development with a Viewpoint toward Development of Technical and Vocational Education, Case study: South Khorasan Province, Iran. The Open Access Journal of Resistive Economics (OAJRE), 3(5), 71-87.

14. Hadavandi, E. and Safariyan, M. (2018). Export Development Strategies for Southern Khorasan Province to Afghanistan and Investigating the Importance of Raw and Unprocessed Products for Re-Export. South khorasn Industries, Minings and trade Organization.

15. Haghdad, H. (2011). Investigates strategies for increasing the export of native products of South Khorasan region using the Porter National Diamond Model. M.A, thesis Payame Noor University, Alborz Branch, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences[In Persian].

16. Hajipour, M. & Et al (2014). Capabilities, Potentials and Investment Opportunities of South Khorasan, second edition, Birjand: charderakht [In Persian].

17. Hashemi ZarjAbad, H. & Taghavi, A. (2012). Ancient Mining Researches in Southern Khorasan, Case Study: Newlyweds of Ancient Metal Melting Centers in Shoosf- Nehbandan. Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 7(1), 145-170 [In Persian].

18. Hatami Sardashti, Z. and Et al. (2012). Evaluation of social-economic sustainability indicators among all constitutive indicators in some parts of Southern Khorasan Province”. International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences. 3(7), 1520-1526.

19. IRNA News Agency (2017). Has studied 2894 Afghan students in South Khorasan. Date of Visit: 21/1/1397. Access link: www.irna.ir/ fa/ News/ 82705198[In Persian].

20. Islami, R. & Yousefzahi, N. (1397). Efficiency strategies of the Rigenal Political Economy of Afghanistan and Iran, Based on the Analytical System of the Chabahar Port, Public Policy Strategic Studies, 8(28),95-124.

21. Jomehpour, M. & Talebi, M. (2012). Investigating the Role of Boundary Cooperatives in the Development of the Southern Khorasan Borders. Welfare and social development planning, 4(10), 65-102. [In Persian].

22. Khosravi Zarges, M. & Et al. (2013). Assesment of the Relationship between the Nation's Mind and Border Security Actors in Providing and Promoting Social Security, Case Study: The Nomads of South Khorasan. Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 7(3), 57-35. [In Persian].

23. Mehr News Agency (2017). Date of Visit: 21/1/1397. Identity: 4110815. Access link: www.mehrnews.com/news/4110815 [In Persian].

24. Mekaniki, J. & Jabri, E. (2013). Investigating the Effects of Agricultural Production Cooperatives on the Social Status of Member's Households, Case Study: Khosf County. Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 7(3), 123-140. [In Persian].

25. Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade (MIMT) (2017). Performance of Industrial Competition, Issue 38. [In Persian].

26. Mofidi, A. & et all (2013). Northeastern Regional hazards. Geography and natural hazards, 2(6), 1-15. [In Persian].

27. Mohammadi, M. (2009). Governmental activities to the Cooperative sector of South Khorasan province according to the willingness and ability of this sector. Taavon magazine, 20(212), 115-132. [In Persian].

28. Motih'e Langaroudi, H. (1994). An Attitude in the Functions of Economic Geography. Literary Researchs, No. 101, 345-333.

29. Mousavi Haji, R. & Et al (2009). Historical geopolitics of Quhistan during Islamic era. Historical research. No.5, 171-201. [In Persian].

30. Naseri, A. and Abedini, A. (2005). Commercial Guide for Southern Khorasan Province. Birjand: Commercial Organization of South Khorasan Province [In Persian].

31. Nasiraei, M. & Et al. (2013). Factors Affecting Economic Prosperity of Rural Families in the South Khorasan Province (Iran)”. African Journal of Business Management, Vol 7, 1675-1678.

32. Papoli Yazdi, M. (1989). The Political Impact of Afghan Refugees in Khorasan. Geographical researches. No. 15, 5-37 [In Persian].

33. Papoli Yazdi, M. (1996). The geopolitical importance of east and northeastern Iran. Geographical researches, No. 43, 3-37 [In Persian].

34. Qaderi Hajat, M. & Et al. (2010). Explaining Border Markets in Security and Sustainable Development of Areas around the Case Study: Bazaar of the South Khorasan Province. Geopolitics Quartertly, 6(19), 121-151 [In Persian].

35. Rezazadeh, Z. & Et al. (2014). Developmental Activities and Its Role in Securing Sustainable Borderlands, Case Study, Case Study: Sabz Dasht-e Khoshb Belt / Southern Khorasan Border with Afghanistan”, Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 9(33), 49-72 [In Persian].

36. Saberifar, R. (2010). The potential of solar energy in South Khorasan”, Energy Economies. No. 131 and 132. 43-47 [In Persian].

37. Shateri, M. & Et al. (2011). Analysis and Challenges of Cultural Development in South Khorasan Province. Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 5(4), 64-79 [In Persian].

38. SKO.IR/Index.aspx?page_=form&lang=1&sub=36&tempname=jazbmain&PageID=2903.

39. South Khorasan Department of Economic Affairs and Finance (SKDEA), (2017/A). Production Capabilities and Investment Opportunities in South Khorasan Province, Sobhee Emroze [In Persian].

40. South Khorasan Department of Economic Affairs and Finance (SKDEA), (2017/C). Statical Yearbook of South Khorasan ProvienceSobhee Emroze [In Persian].

41. South Khorasan Department of Economic Affairs and Finance (SKDEAF) (2017/B). Survey and Analysis of the Economic Situation of South Khorasan Province. Tehran: fekrebekr [In Persian].

42. Tajrizi, A. & Arezomandan, T. (2011). Climatic features of South Khorasan and the use of renewable energy in a climate-compatible architecture”, Socio-cultural studies of Khorasan, 6(1), 52-73. [In Persian].

43. Tasnim News Agency (2017). Foreign investment in the southern province has increased eightfold. Date of Visit: 22/1/97. Access link: www. tasnimnews.com/ en/news/1396/07/19/1542515. [In Persian].

44. Trade Promotion Organization (Tpo) (2016). Iran's foreign trade with 15 neighboring countries over the past decade. Access link: http://sk-eghtesadi.ir/. [In Persian].

45. Vothouqi, S. & Et al (2014). Explain the position of Afghanistan as the core of several sub-regional systems with an emphasis on South Asia and the role of India. Central Asian and Caucasus, No. 87, 149-177.