Afghanistan’s mining sector holds immense potential to drive economic growth. Recent developments reveal a surge in international investor interest, signaling a significant opportunity for the country’s economic revitalization.
Foreign investment is considered crucial for Afghanistan’s economic development. According to Homayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, several countries have expressed keen interest in investing in Afghanistan’s rich mineral resources. Investors from Qatar, China, Turkey, Iran, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, and Turkmenistan have shown particular interest in marble, alongside other minerals like gold, onyx, antimony, oil, and gas.
To fully capitalize on its reserves, Afghanistan must prioritize standardized extraction and establish local processing facilities. Sakhi Ahmad Payman, First Deputy of the Chamber of Industries and Mines, emphasizes the importance of legal and regulated extraction processes. He highlights that domestic extraction and processing are essential for achieving self-sufficiency and sustainable employment in the mining sector.
“Only when Afghanistan’s mines are legally and systematically extracted and processed domestically can we achieve self-sufficiency and sustainable employment in the mining sector. We must support factories and industries related to mining that can process materials within the country,” Payman stated.
Economic experts echo the sentiment that foreign investment in the mining sector is vital for Afghanistan’s economic growth. Abdul Ghafar Nezami, an economic expert, points to the global reputation of Afghanistan’s underground reserves. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging this reputation to attract foreign investors, which could significantly boost the country’s economic landscape.
“Afghanistan’s underground reserves have a good reputation globally,” Nezami remarked. “It’s crucial to take advantage of this opportunity and invite foreign investors to contribute to this sector.”
The combined force of international investor interest and a strategic focus on standardized extraction and processing positions the mining sector as a potential cornerstone for Afghanistan’s economic recovery. By ensuring all stages of the mining process take place within the country, Afghanistan can maximize economic benefits, create sustainable employment opportunities, and achieve greater self-sufficiency.
Source: tolonews.com
