Minister: Taliban seeks economic independence and foreign investment in Afghanistan
By Mohammad Yunus Yawar
KABUL (Reuters – The Taliban administration wants self-sufficiency, and the acting commerce minister stated that international trade and investment is important to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is facing isolation and suspension of humanitarian operations due to restrictions on women.
He told Reuters that he would start a national program to ensure self-sufficiency. We will support any item that can aid us in our quest for self-sufficiency.
He added that they also wanted to promote foreign investment and trade.
He stated that “Those who import items to Afghanistan from elsewhere are asking us for opportunities to invest in Afghanistan. They want to do so here rather than import from abroad.”
He stated that China, Russia, and Iran were all interested in investment and trade. He indicated that some of these projects were Chinese industrial parks or thermal power plants. Russia and Iran are also involved.
Investors are already facing sanctions and lack of formal recognition for the country’s banking system. There are also growing security concerns following attacks on foreign targets in Kabul by the Islamic State.
A Chinese business leader said that an attack on a hotel serving Chinese businessmen earlier this month could cause some foreigners to reconsider investing.
Azizi stated that security was being ensured by authorities.
“We do everything we can to ensure that our businessmen are safe.” He said that the attack had not had any negative impact on businessmen, but that if it occurred frequently, it could have a detrimental effect on investment environments.
Azizi presented a plan to create special economic zones on former U.S. military bases in order to encourage industry development. His ministry said that he was going to present the plan the the administration’s cabinet as well as the economic commission.
He stated that foreign investors were interested in Afghanistan’s mine sector which has been valued at $1 trillion. He stated that 40 companies participated in an auction for an iron mine in western Herat, and a lead mine central Ghor. The results will be announced shortly.
He indicated that Afghanistan will receive the goods in the coming days as a result of a major contract it signed in September with Russia regarding the supply of gasoline, oil, and wheat.
Recent policies restricting women’s access in public life and at university have led to increased isolation by the Taliban-led administration.
A ban on female NGO workers has caused chaos in the humanitarian sector that provides urgent assistance to millions of people. Some organisations have had to suspend operations during the winter.
Azizi didn’t comment on the restrictions, but said that his ministry had allotted 5 acres of land to a permanent exhibition center and hub for women-led business.
He stated, “We always support woman investors.”
(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar; writing by Charlotte Greenfield. Gerry Doyle edited