Business
Bayat Power Begins Generating Affordable Electricity for Afghans
Kabul, Afghanistan — November 12, 2019 — Bayat Power, Afghanistan’s largest, Afghan-owned and operated Power Production Company announced today that Bayat Power-1, the region’s most technologically advanced gas fired electric power plant — and Afghanistan’s first new gas based power production plant in more than forty years — has officially started commercial operations of its vital and historic mission to provide reliable and affordable electric power to the people of Afghanistan.
Located in Sherberghan, Afghanistan — the proud epicenter of the nation’s gas-rich region — Bayat Power-1 is the company leading the resurgence of Afghanistan’s domestic power production industry. This pioneering project, built and led by Afghans, will provide the power essential for Afghanistan’s economic growth.
Powered by the brand new Siemens SGT-A45 ‘Fast Power’ turbine — the world’s most advanced mobile gas to energy power solution — phase one of Bayat Power-1’s operations will generate up to 41 megawatts of power for Afghan homes and businesses. When all three phases of Bayat Power-1 are operational, the plant will generate more than 200 megawatts of electricity — enough to serve millions of Afghan residential and commercial clients.
“Starting today, Bayat Power-1 — our nation’s first new gas fired power plant in more than four decades — is providing affordable, reliable power to Afghan families and companies across the nation,” said Dr. Ehsan Bayat, the Founder of Bayat Power and the Chairman of the Bayat Group.
“Bayat Power 1 is meant to pioneer a new industry and serve the first step in the redevelopment of an Afghan energy sector that will be operated by Afghans, expanded by Afghans and dedicated to accelerating Afghanistan’s economic development,” Dr. Bayat said.
“Today, everyone at Bayat Power and The Bayat Group is determined that Bayat Power-1 will help all Afghans move forward together to a shared future of prosperity, innovation, and growth; a future that is bright with light generated by Bayat Power-1, and rich with bountiful opportunity and progress for all Afghans.”
For more details please visit: https://bit.ly/2qTu4V0
Pakistan’s kinno exports remain far below potential as regional tensions, high freight costs and weak government support continue to choke the citrus trade.
Despite being a leading global citrus producer, Pakistan is expected to export just 400,000–450,000 tonnes of kinno in the 2025–26 season, compared with an estimated capacity of 700,000–800,000 tonnes.
Exports in 2024–25 stood at around 350,000–400,000 tonnes, mainly to Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Central Asia. While better fruit quality this season has raised hopes, persistent crossing disruptions—especially with Afghanistan—and transport bottlenecks have offset gains.
Growers say prices have collapsed sharply, forcing panic sales. Rates for large kinno have fallen from over Rs120 per kg early in the season to as low as Rs75, while smaller fruit is selling for Rs35–40 per kg amid weak demand.
Industry leaders warn the crisis is crippling processing units and jobs. More than 100 factories reportedly failed to open this season, with dozens more shutting down as exports stall. Cold storages in Sargodha are nearly full, putting fruit worth millions of dollars at risk of spoilage, while growers fear losses of up to Rs10 billion.
Exporters are urging the government to urgently resolve issues, subsidise logistics, and help access alternative markets, warning that prolonged inaction could devastate farmers, workers and the wider economy.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran will facilitate trade and economic exchanges with Afghanistan, including easing procedures at customs and local marketplaces.
He made the remarks during a televised interview following his visit to South Khorasan province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.
Pezeshkian, in a separate event addressing local business leaders, highlighted the province’s strategic advantages, citing its rich mineral resources, proximity to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, and access to the ocean via the Chabahar port. He described the region as “a golden opportunity not found everywhere,” emphasizing its potential for economic growth and cross-border commerce.
A Kazakh delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan met with Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, to discuss ways of strengthening banking and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, Khalid said the central bank is keen to establish regular and effective banking relations with Kazakhstan as part of broader efforts to expand bilateral trade.
He noted that enhanced banking cooperation would help facilitate trade, investment, and wider economic interaction between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, while also contributing to financial stability at the regional level.
Members of the Kazakh delegation also emphasized the importance of developing banking and economic ties and expressed their readiness to expand joint cooperation.
The two sides further agreed to establish technical committees from both countries to hold expert-level discussions and advance practical steps for cooperation.
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