Business
National Farmer’s Day Marks in Afghanistan
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Afghan people marked the Farmer’s Day falling on March 22 across the country, by holding ceremonies and displaying agricultural products and livestock.
Previously, the Afghan Ministry for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock kicked off a three-day agriculture show at Badam Bagh locality in northwest side of Kabul city.
“On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, I congratulate the National Farmer’s Day to all Afghan farmers, and I hope that your achievements would be an inspiration for all Afghans to do their best for achieving self-sufficiency,” Afghan Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Asadullah Zamir told the ceremony in Badam Bagh.
Only 12 percent of Afghanistan is arable and less than 6 percent is currently being cultivated.
“The government is determined in supporting agriculture sector and more efforts are underway to build water dams, green houses, gardens and cold storage facilities across the country,” said the minister.
War-ravaged Afghanistan has made tremendous achievements over the past couple of years and is close to achieving self-sufficiency, he said.
Minister Zamir said the government is managing Afghan water resources, and modernizing the agricultural practices and overcoming gender stereotypes and encouraging the participation of both men and women in the field, which would enable the country to become self-reliant and see the export of agricultural products boosted significantly in coming years.
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Business
Mullah Baradar meets with Afghan investors and traders living in Uzbekistan
Baradar assured Afghan investors and businesspeople residing in Uzbekistan that their capital, wealth, and business activities are secure in Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met with Afghan businessmen living in Uzbekistan on Friday where he urged them to return home and invest in the country.
Addressing business owners at the Afghanistan Embassy in Tashkent, Baradar stated that Afghanistan has been freed from occupation and, after decades, is now enjoying an unprecedented level of nationwide security.
He added that significant steps have been taken to develop the country’s economic growth, major infrastructure projects have been initiated, road reconstruction is progressing rapidly, domestic production and exports have increased, and there has been a relative improvement in the trade balance.
“The investment and trade system has been cleansed of corruption and bureaucracy, and opportunities for investment in various sectors have been provided to both domestic and foreign investors,” he said.
Baradar stated that over the past twenty years, Afghans, especially wealthy individuals, had no security or dignity but under the rule of the Islamic Emirate, the assets and dignity of businesspeople and investors are now safeguarded, allowing them to operate in a secure environment.
He emphasized that investment in sectors such as energy, mining, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, technology, and healthcare, among many others, is essential for the country’s economic growth and development.
He urged Afghan investors to prioritize these sectors for investment.
The Deputy PM further stated that the Islamic Emirate gives its full support to the private sector, the facilitation of investment opportunities for returning industrialists, businesspeople, and both domestic and foreign investors, as well as the advancement of domestic industries.
He emphasized that the goal is to transform Afghanistan into a regional economic and trade hub and to further expand economic and commercial relations with all countries.
Addressing the investors and traders, Baradar said: “You are the pillars of our country’s economic development. Your investments, experience, and suggestions are valuable to us. Your investments and business activities bring economic benefits to all of Afghanistan.
“We want to create even more investment opportunities for you so that you can utilize your expertise and capital to develop industrial production, agriculture, transit, and other economic sectors.
“The Islamic Emirate is committed to supporting the private sector. For this purpose, it has simplified trade and investment processes, organized the tax system, and is fully committed to protecting all the rights of businesspeople.”
In conclusion, Baradar assured Afghan investors and businesspeople residing in Uzbekistan that their capital, wealth, and business activities are secure in Afghanistan and that the Islamic Emirate will provide all necessary cooperation whenever needed.
He urged all investors and traders to transfer their industries and capital to Afghanistan to contribute to the country’s progress and fulfill their responsibility in national development.
Afghan investors and traders residing in Uzbekistan expressed their support for the expansion of political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
Each investor indicated their willingness to invest between $10 million and $100 million in Afghanistan.
They also shared their challenges in various sectors with the Deputy PM and he assured them of solutions.
Business
Afghanistan transports 3.2 million metric tons via railways this year: Ministry
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Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, says since the beginning of this current solar year, about 3.2 million metric tons of commercial goods have been transported through the country’s railway lines.
Haqshenas stated that these exports have seen a significant increase compared to the same period last year, and the ministry is working to provide more facilities for the private sector in this area.
“Approximately 3.2 million metric tons of goods have been transported through four ports. The Ministry of Public Works is striving to provide greater convenience to national traders and citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Investment have stated that railway lines can play a vital role in the country’s economic development.
They added that in international trade, rail transport is cheaper than shipping, and this sector should be given serious attention in the country.
Economic experts also believe that the expansion of railways in the country can provide more convenience for traders in exports and imports.
Currently, Afghanistan has direct railway connections through four ports with Uzbekistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan, and indirect connections with China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.
Business
IEA signs $6.2 million marble mining contract for Kandahar
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Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says it has signed a contract worth $6.2 million with a Turkish company for the extraction of marble from a mine in Kandahar’s Dara-e-Noor area.
At a ceremony on Tuesday in Kabul, acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hidayatullah Badri said the extraction of this mine is expected to create new job opportunities for the country’s citizens.
Badri stated that since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover, several contracts have been signed for marble extraction.
“The contracted company is investing $6.2 million in the exploration, extraction, and processing of this mine,” Badri added.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the mining company stated that this contract will benefit both countries.
He said the company hopes to supply the international market with the marble. He said this will not only create jobs but also contribute to the growth of Afghanistan’s export market.
Mr Emioglu, the deputy head of the Turkish contracting company, said: “Our company started working on extracting this mine eight months ago. We aim to introduce Afghan marble internationally after production and processing so that both countries can benefit.”
Economists welcomed the development and stated that with the signing of mining contracts, the country’s economic situation will improve, and investments in this sector will increase.
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