Aminullah Obaid, the Taliban-appointed governor of Kabul, has called on domestic and foreign investors and companies to invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector by capitalising on the country’s mineral resources. Meanwhile, a number of citizens have stressed the need for transparency in mining contracts and accountability regarding the revenue generated from these resources.
During a visit to Afghanistan’s first specialised mining exhibition, Obaid highlighted the importance of mineral exploration, extraction and processing. He said that holding such exhibitions could help showcase the country’s mineral potential, expand economic cooperation and attract investment.
In a meeting with several businesspeople and representatives of companies operating in the mining sector, he urged them to take steps towards developing the industry and making effective use of Afghanistan’s natural resources. According to Obaid, investment in this sector could contribute to economic growth, create employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s economic infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a number of citizens have said that the development of the mining industry must go hand in hand with transparency and public oversight. They have called for mining contracts to be awarded under clear and transparent conditions, with public participation, and for details of the bidding process, contract awards and mining operations to be regularly made available to the public through the media.
These citizens believe that the revenue generated from mining activities, as well as how it is spent, should also be publicly disclosed. This, they say, would enable the public to monitor the exploitation of the country’s natural resources and remain informed about how the resulting income is being used.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
