KABUL (SW) – An Iranian trade delegation has met with Nooruddin Azizi, the acting minister of Commerce and Industry, in Kabul to explore investment avenues in Afghanistan.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Javad, the spokesperson of the ministry, told Salam Watandar that Iranian businessmen have proposed to invest in mining, iron ore processing plant and solar energy production in Afghanistan.
He adds: “In this meeting, the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran presented information about the capacity of Mubaraka steel assembly and the field of activities of this assembly plant, investment proposals in the sectors of creating a special mineral economic zone for Iran and Afghanistan, mineral exploration, investment in road and railway construction and iron mining, as well as, establishing an iron ore processing factory and turning it into iron products and produced solar energy.”
Analysts consider foreign investment beneficial for Afghanistan, but they say that economic projects that have political strings should executed with more caution and consideration.
Sayed Masoud, an expert on economic issues, says: “Investment of any country in Afghanistan is very good for Afghanistan’s economy. However, the economic initiative that is accompanied with political links should be followed with caution. Especially in regional investment, we must be very careful so that we realize our relative advantage more. In many cases, we have our own comparative advantages that we cannot use.
Another expert on economic issues Taj Mohammad Talash, says that investment and expansion by Iranian investors in Afghanistan is beneficial to the economic growth.
He adds: “If Iranian businessmen want to invest in Afghanistan, it means that Iranian capital will flow to Afghanistan, which will benefit our economic system such as our agriculture, energy, transit and railway sectors. It was not so advanced during the Republic era and these are the sectors that can help to reach self-sufficiency.”
In the last three years, trade relations between Afghanistan and Iran have increased. Earlier, Iran announced that Afghan businessmen are one of the biggest investors in Iran.
Mahmoud Siyat, the head of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, said that the ‘spring’ of investment in Afghanistan has arrived.
