Kabul, Afghanistan – In a formal trip to Kabul this week, the Qatari National Security Advisor (NSA) Mohammed bin Ahmed al-Misnad and his accompanying delegation pledged its government’s continued cooperation in political and economic affairs of Afghanistan.
Qatari delegation met with Abdul Ghani Baradar, First Deputy Prime Minister; Sirajuddin Haqqani, Acting Minister of Interior; Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, Acting Minister of Information and Culture during a formal visit in Kabul.
“Now that security has been restored in Afghanistan, employment for the people has been created, it is time to show the world the actual picture of Afghanistan,” said Baradar, as TOLOnews quoted.
Welcoming the supportive gesture by Qatari government, the First Deputy PM further said that all commercial and investment facilities have been provided in Afghanistan, paving the way for regional and international allies, including Qatar, to invest in infrastructure projects in the country.
Meanwhile, a number of local economists believe Qatar’s investment in economic sectors may help alleviate poverty and boost government income, saying such opportunity could as well increase employment rates in the country.
“Afghanistan can be saved from poverty and millions of jobs can be created if mines are extracted optimally and legally, have the proper legal framework, and the interests of the Afghan people are properly considered.” said Azarakhsh Hafezi, an economist.
“Investing in Afghanistan’s water and mining sectors is a good and golden opportunity for both international and domestic companies, and such investments may create a lot of jobs.” said Hamidullah Yalani, another economist, according to local media.
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While foreign investments in Afghanistan seem promising, alleviating financial struggles since the takeover last August, the economic committee ordered concerning ministries to revise the Mining Law at the Economic Commission meeting.
Mohammad Karim Azimi, Executive Director of Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines (CIM) said the recommended changes in mining law could potentially benefit the country, attracting regional and international investment opportunities.
“The involvement of foreign investors, particularly Qatari investments, in the country’s mines, is important, provided that the new rules give more benefits and place a greater emphasis on domestic investments.”
This marks the first official visit to Afghanistan by the high-ranking Qatari delegation since the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took over the ground operations and aviation security contract at Kabul Airport, including three other local air facilities, according to the local media.
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has asked Qatar to help Afghanistan in investment, economic growth, humanitarian aid, and counter-narcotics affairs.
