Qatar NSA pledges
continued cooperation with Afghanistan

KABUL (Tolo News): Mohammed bin Ahmed al-Misnad, Qatar’s National Security Advisor, and his accompanying delegation during a meeting with Abdul Ghani Baradar, First Deputy PM, pledged that Doha would continue its cooperation in the political, economic and social spheres in Afghanistan.
“Now that security has been restored in Afghanistan, employment for the people has been created, it is time to show the world the actual picture of Afghanistan,” he said. Qatar’s delegation met with Abdul Ghani Baradar, First Deputy Prime Minister; Sirajuddin Haqqani, Acting Minister of Interior; Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, Acting Minister of Information and Culture during their visit to Kabul.
The First Deputy Prime Minister further stated that all commercial and investment facilities have been provided in Afghanistan, and that Qatar can invest in infrastructure projects in the country. Meanwhile, some economists believe that Qatar’s investment in these sectors may help to alleviate poverty and boost government income.
“Afghanistan can be saved from poverty and millions of jobs can be created if mines are extracted optimally and legally, have the proper legal framework, and the interests of the Afghan people are properly considered.” said Azarakhsh Hafezi, an economist. “Investing in Afghanistan’s water and mining sectors is a good and golden opportunity for both international and domestic companies, and such investments may create a lot of jobs.” said Hamidullah Yalani, another economist.
In the meantime, the economic committee ordered related ministries to revise the Mining Law at the Economic Commission meeting. The Chamber of Industries and Mines said that changing the law will help to attract international investment.
“The involvement of foreign investors, particularly Qatari investments, in the country’s mines, is important, provided that the new rules give more benefits and place a greater emphasis on domestic investments.” said Mohammad Karim Azimi, Executive Director of Kabul Chamber of Industries and Mines.
This is the first visit to Afghanistan by a high-ranking Qatari delegation since the United Arab Emirates took over the ground operations and aviation security contract at Kabul Airport and three other Afghan airports. Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has asked Qatar to help Afghanistan in investment, economic growth, humanitarian aid, and counter-narcotics.