KABUL (SW): Dawood Shah Saba, Minister for Mines and Petroleum said Sunday many lacunae in the contracts and insecurity in various parts of the country were hindering growth in vital sector of economy.
Addressing the press about performance of his ministries in line with the 100-day plan, Saba said the fate of some 20 contracts was not decided yet. The Minister said excavation of coal was underway in many parts of the country but lack of proper regulations denied the citizens its benefits.
He noted that over the next five years, the government would focus encouraging investors to step-up and start excavation. “Unhealthy rivalry, lack of capacity in some departments, insecurity and legal hurdles regarding some contracts are the major challenges”, he said.
He vowed the ministry would soon establish a standardized system to channel the income gained from the mines to the government kitty.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 30 % mapped mineral wealth of the country indicates Afghanistan is sitting on minerals worth in trillions of dollars.
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