Chinese company shows interest in investing in multiple sectors

A Chinese businessman met with acting minister of industry and commerce Noorudin Azizi and expressed interest in investing in a number of sectors including the glass and cement manufacturing sector and the oil refinery sector.

The ministry’s spokesman Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzadah said the businessman was also interested in establishing a 10 megawatt solar power facility, in extracting oil and the construction of roads.

“Most of the Chinese businessmen who come, want to invest in Afghanistan’s mines, most of their investments are currently in the mining sector, and they also want to invest in the industry and agriculture sectors,” said Akhundzadah.

Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) officials meanwhile said investment opportunities have been provided in Afghanistan and investors from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan have shown an interest in starting businesses in the country.

Already, Chinese companies have invested $1.2 billion in agriculture, and in the mining and oil extraction sectors in the country.

Since regaining power in August 2021, the Islamic Emirate has established an economy-based foreign policy in a bid to boost the country’s economy, create employment opportunities and steer Afghanistan towards self-sufficiency. In line with this, exports hit a record high of $1.9 billion in 2022, according to the World Bank.