IE seeks to participate in ‘Belt and Road Initiative’

KABUL (TOLOnews): Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi a meeting with the Chinese ambassador in Kabul, Zhao Xing, requested Afghanistan’s participation in the “Belt and Road Initiative.”
Abdul Salam Hanafi said that they are trying to connect Afghanistan through different corridors with this project. The Ministry of Economy said that Afghanistan’s connection to the Belt and Road Initiative project is beneficial for Afghanistan’s economic growth.
“Afghanistan’s joining the Belt and Road Initiative will integrate Afghanistan’s economy into the regional and world economies and will promote trade and economic growth and the development of Afghanistan, as well as promote Afghanistan’s geo-economic transit position,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy of the Economy Ministry.
The Chamber of Commerce and Investment believes that connecting Afghanistan to the Silk Path or the “Belt and Road Initiative,” project can increase Afghanistan’s trade with the countries of the region.
“It is very effective. It is known to you that we have trade with China, and not only with China, but with Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, and these countries we do it by sea. And it’s very influential for business growth,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the ACCI.
Economists said that connecting Afghanistan to the Belt and Road Initiative is needed so that the countries of the region will support Afghanistan from a financial point of view.
“In order to reach such a line to Afghanistan and for Afghanistan’s participation to actually get a good score, it is clear that the World Bank and the extraordinary financial resources of the northern countries play a role,” said Sayed Masoud, an economist.
The Belt and Road Initiative or New Silk Path was presented by the President of China and is planned to cost $1300 billion to build thousands of kilometers of roads, railways, waterways, and air routes.