Afghanistan has invited Russian companies to invest in its mining, industrial and infrastructure sectors, as the two countries seek to expand economic cooperation and boost bilateral trade.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, made the remarks during a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, highlighting Afghanistan’s investment opportunities and strategic economic potential.

Baradar said Afghanistan is ready to welcome Russian companies to invest in partnership with local businesses in mineral extraction, establishing and expanding industrial factories, developing infrastructure and creating special economic zones.

He also identified several potential areas for joint investment, including the establishment of industrial parks built to international standards, joint special economic zones, dry ports and trade infrastructure.

“We are seeking to increase bilateral trade to the maximum possible level, in line with the economic capacities of both countries,” Baradar said, emphasizing the importance of facilitating trade and expanding investment cooperation.

He described Afghanistan as a country with significant economic potential, citing its strategic geographical location, abundant natural resources and a workforce of approximately 24 million people of working age.

The Afghan official said these advantages could provide significant opportunities for foreign investors, particularly in sectors that could contribute to industrial development, job creation and economic growth.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan seeks to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties with regional and international partners, with Russia emerging as a potential partner in mining, industry, trade and infrastructure development.

Iraq’s Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi has ordered an investigation into intelligence reports alleging that petroleum from Kirkuk and the Kurdistan Region is being smuggled through Iran to Afghanistan.

During a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, al-Halbousi questioned the performance of security agencies and the Oil Ministry, demanding explanations over the alleged illegal transportation of Iraqi petroleum resources across the country’s borders.

“This is a serious matter,” he said, describing the reported activities as a failure by security authorities to protect national resources.

According to an official parliamentary statement, a temporary investigative committee has been established to examine the alleged smuggling route, which reportedly begins in oil-producing areas of Kirkuk and the Kurdistan Region, passes through Iran and extends toward Afghanistan.

The committee will be led by the head of Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee and include representatives from several parliamentary committees, including those responsible for oil and gas, finance, integrity and border crossings. It has been tasked with investigating the allegations and submitting its findings to parliamentary leadership.

Separate investigation into suspected oil theft

The parliamentary inquiry will also examine separate intelligence allegations concerning the suspected theft of petroleum products from government pipelines in Jurf al-Nasr, formerly known as Jurf al-Sakhar, in Babil Province.

The intelligence report reportedly includes satellite imagery and information about suspected fuel storage and transportation facilities.

However, Babil Governor Ali Turki al-Jamali has disputed aspects of the findings, saying that at least one identified location was an established fuel facility serving security forces.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has ordered a separate investigation into the suspected petroleum theft in Jurf al-Nasr, involving senior security officials and representatives of relevant government institutions.

The parliamentary committee has also been assigned to examine the recent attack on the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan Region, which disrupted gas production and electricity generation.

Allegations yet to be verified

The alleged smuggling route through the Kurdistan Region and the suspected petroleum theft in Jurf al-Nasr are being investigated as separate cases. Authorities have not established that the incidents are connected.

Investigators have also yet to publicly identify those allegedly responsible for the suspected route to Afghanistan, determine the quantities involved or confirm whether the petroleum reached its reported destination.

Olive cultivation is emerging as a promising alternative for farmers in eastern Afghanistan, offering a potential source of income while helping rural communities cope with drought and growing water shortages.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), farmers in Nangarhar Province are increasingly turning to olive trees because of their ability to survive with relatively little water compared with traditional crops such as wheat, rice and onions.

One example is Abdullah Orzala, who established an olive orchard 15 years ago in Saidan Arabi village. His initiative has since expanded, with thousands of additional olive trees planted in other parts of Nangarhar.

Orzala says adapting agriculture to climate change and protecting limited water resources were among the main reasons behind his decision to invest in olive farming.

Agricultural specialists say olive trees can also improve soil quality and reduce erosion, making them suitable for areas facing environmental challenges.

The olive harvest has created new economic opportunities for local communities. Around 500 villagers in Saidan Arabi participate in harvesting olives, which are processed into oil using a cold-pressing method.

According to production supervisor Sadiqullah Afghan, freshly harvested olives are processed immediately to maintain the quality of the oil. The product is sold in organic shops in Kabul for up to $17 per kilogram.

Orzala’s agricultural activities have also created 16 permanent jobs across two villages in Nangarhar.

Afghanistan’s Olive industry expanding

Afghanistan’s olive industry dates back to the 1960s, particularly in eastern Nangarhar. However, decades of conflict destroyed nearly half of the country’s olive-growing areas.

The sector has gradually recovered in recent years. New equipment was provided to the state-owned olive processing mill in 2019, and production has increased.

According to Akhtar Muhammad Hashimi, director of the state-owned company, the facility produced approximately 135,000 litres of olive oil last year. Production is expected to reach between 143,000 and 165,000 litres this year.

The company currently sells its entire production within Afghanistan but hopes to enter international markets in the future.

Meanwhile, olive cultivation is expanding beyond Nangarhar. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported the planting of 381 hectares of olive trees, highlighting their potential to generate sustainable income for rural families.

 Despite these developments, limited access to international banking and markets remains a major obstacle to expanding Afghanistan’s olive exports.

For many farmers in eastern Afghanistan, however, olive trees represent more than an agricultural investment. They offer a potential source of income, employment and resilience against worsening drought conditions.