The first Mining and Metals International Expo was held last week in Kabul, the capital. The expo was aimed to introduce the country’s products and absorb domestic and foreign investment in the country’s mining sector.
According to officials of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the Mining and Metals International Expo was organized for the first time in Afghanistan from Oct 11-13. In the expo, the country’s domestic products were exhibited. For example, various metals, previous stones, handicrafts, rugs and carpets, jewelries and various minerals were put in 40 boots for exhibition.
In the expo, a number of Afghan national traders asked the Islamic Emirate to address challenges facing the traders and pay the way for their visits to the United Arab Emirate (UAE) to expand their mutual trade with the respective country.
“In current situation in which the security has improved across the country, further investment should be absorbed on mining sector to provide more job opportunities for the people,” said Naqibullah, head of Roby Expo. He said organizing such expos could be productive for absorption of more investment on the country’s mining sector.
Meanwhile, Khanjan Alokozay, deputy of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), told participants in opening ceremony of the expo that holding such expos was important as the mining sector could play vital role in creating job opportunities and helping the country reach self-sufficiency.
Alokozay asked the Islamic Emirate (IEA) to create a permanent expo for investors inside the country and provide more facilities for investors particularly the Afghan investors living abroad to invest in the country.
In the opening ceremony of the expo, deputy minister of mines and petroleum Shaikh Hasamuddin Sabiry asked all investors to return their home and do invest inside Afghanistan.
Based on the information of the ministry of mines and petroleum, contracts for extraction of most of the country’s mines have been signed with some big and small companies, while some are under bidding.
He said that the ministry of mines and petroleum has prevented from illegally extracting of mines in the country, adding that the ministry was making efforts to go with professionally extracting of the country’s mines.
Meanwhile, acting minister of commerce and industries of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Nooruddin Azizi informed of holding Afghanistan Previous Stones Expo in the United Arab Emirate in near future.
Recalling of Afghans’ talents and competency in investment in other countries, acting minister of commerce and industries said the Afghan Alokozay Company was producing the best beverages in Europe, adding that Afghan investors have invested dozens of billions dollars in UAE, showing their competency in investment in other countries.
It is worth mentioning that Afghanistan mineral resources are estimated more than $9 trillion in value. Local companies as well as some foreign companies have been investing millions dollar doing mines exploration and extraction in various parts of the country.
Shukria Kohistani
Mining & Metals International Expo held in Kabul
