Monitoring Desk
KABUL: The acting Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Haji Nooruddin Azizi, said that the government would encourage “self-sufficiency” and wants international trade and investment.
“We will start a national self-sufficiency programme in Afghanistan, we will encourage all government administrations to use local products, we will also try to encourage people to support our domestic products,” Azizi told Reuters news agency.
“We will support any measure which can help us for self-sufficiency.”
He said another part of their strategy was boosting foreign investment and trade.
“Those who were importing goods to Afghanistan from abroad are asking us for opportunities to invest in Afghanistan, adding that they want to invest in Afghanistan instead of importing from foreign countries,” he said.
Trade, investment in Afghanistan
Azizi said that countries, including China, Iran, and Russia, were interested in investment and trade.
The Afghan minister said some of the projects under discussion were Chinese thermal power plants and industrial parks, with involvement from Iran and Russia.
He said authorities were working to ensure security in the country.
“We work our best for our businessmen to ensure their safety. The attack has not so much negative impact, but if it happened regularly, yes, it might have a negative impact,” Azizi said, referring to the investment environment in Afghanistan.
The minister laid out a plan to develop the industry by establishing special economic zones on land previously used for US military bases.
Azizi said his ministry presented the plan to the administration and economic commission cabinet.
The minister added that foreign investors were showing interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector, valued at more than $1 trillion.
Azizi said that a lead mine in central Ghor province and an iron mine in western Herat had seen 40 companies participate in an auction, and soon the results would be announced.
The minister said that a major contract signed with Russia in September for supplying oil, gas, and wheat would deliver products to Afghanistan in the coming days.
The Taliban-led administration is facing increased isolation over policies in recent days restricting women from access to public life, including attending university.
