KABUL (SW) – On Monday, the de-facto government of the Islamic Emirate has signed contracts worth 4 billion Afghanis for four projects in the electricity production and establishment of commercial centers with private companies. The signing took place in a meeting at the Government Information and Media Center (GIMC), attended by senior officials and members of this government’s cabinet.
These projects include a 23-megawatt solar power production project in Sorubi district of Kabul, the construction of two power substations in Herat province, the establishment of a commercial center in the Kote Sangi area of Kabul city, and likewise, the creation of a commercial and residential center in Helmand province.
Officials say these projects are implemented in government property, and after 10 years of operation, the contracted companies will hand over these projects to the de-facto government.
Ahmad Zia Khalid, Head of Investment Facilitation at the General Directorate of Administration Affairs, says: “Out of these four projects, two are in the electricity production sector, which will be signed with the Breshna Sherkat. Similarly, two projects are joint ventures between a government department and the private sector.”
Officials add that these projects are contracted to address economic issues such as budget deficits, and it is planned that seven other government properties in some provinces will also be contracted to private companies for investment.
Sultan Mohammad Zubair, Deputy Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, says in the program: “We have announced approximately seven government properties, including one property in Nangarhar, two in Samangan, two properties in Mazar-e-Sharif, one in Sheberghan city, and similarly, one property in Qaisar district of Faryab province, which has been announced for contracting.”
Islamic Emirate officials emphasize that the investment environment in Afghanistan has been provided, and therefore, the level of interest among investors to invest in the country is increasing.
Noorulhaq Anwar, the Director-General of the Administrative office, says: “In such conditions, they invest here; this is a good use of their assets and capital.”
Abdul Latif Mansoor, the Acting Minister of Energy and Water, also says: “Investors who have come here have seen that there is sincerity and transparency here. Therefore, we see that investment is increasing day by day.”
The four projects are being contracted by the de-facto government at a time when Afghanistan is facing a serious electricity shortage problem due to a lack of self-sufficiency in the electricity production sector.
