Iran is a top producer of agricultural and livestock products in the region, but still relies on imports, particularly in animal husbandry. Iraq and Afghanistan are the main trading partners for these imports and exports. The head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, Hossein Salimi, suggests that Iran could increase its exports to Afghanistan by cultivating agricultural products in that country, which would increase the purchasing power of the Afghan people and demand for imports. The chamber also discussed a plan to increase sugar beet cultivation in Afghanistan to boost the capacity of sugar factories in Mashhad and increase sugar exports from Iran.