Speech of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund during meeting with the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

In the name of Allah, the most merciful the most compassionate

Respected participants present in the gathering,
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

I am pleased to see you today in a secure and independent Afghanistan. I welcome you and extend our hospitality to you.

With the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, the economic situation—which was facing serious threats—has now begun improving. Administrative corruption has been eliminated, the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics have been completely prevented, unemployment has decreased, Afghani has remained stable against foreign currencies, progress has been made in the banking sector, in addition to exports, the volume of imports and national revenues has increased, domestic production has risen, major projects have commenced, and industry, trade, and transit have advanced.

However, in some areas we have not made the level of progress required. The fundamental reason is the economic sanctions imposed on Afghanistan by the United States and the international community.

This is while full security has been ensured across the entire country. By adopting an economy-oriented and balanced foreign policy, we have opened the door for maintaining political and economic relations with neighboring, regional, and global countries based on mutual and common interests. In this regard, we have good political and economic relations with some countries. Facilitated laws have been enacted to attract investment, and the rights and requirements of all parties are addressed in accordance with Sharia principles.

With the provision of investment opportunities in Afghanistan, not only Afghans but foreigners as well can invest here. Good examples include joint investments by investors from Asian and European countries alongside Afghan investors in the Ghoriyan iron mine in Herat, the TUTAP Gas Agreement, and foreign companies’ investment in electricity generation.

Investment is required in many sectors such as electricity, mines, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, technology, and health, as well as various other sectors. The Islamic Emirate has facilitated investment not only for domestic investors but also for foreign investors. I would like to mention some of the opportunities here:

According to preliminary surveys, Afghanistan possesses natural reserves valued at approximately three trillion U.S. dollars, and appropriate conditions have been created for investment in this area. Examples include the Hajigak iron mine in Bamyan, the Katwaz and Helmand oil fields, the Herat oil field, and rare minerals.

Similarly, agriculture and livestock are among Afghanistan’s key sectors. Since the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, dozens of projects have been planned to strengthen this sector and investment opportunities have been created. Examples include the establishment of fruit processing centers, cold storage facilities, greenhouses, irrigation systems, and projects related to mechanizing agriculture in general.

There are also investment opportunities in the transport sector. Examples include the Mazar-e-Sharif–Herat–Kandahar railway, the Kabul city ring road, the second Salang Tunnel on the Salang Highway, the second lane of the Ghazni-Herat highway, and the construction of terminals along major highways.

The Islamic Emirate has encouraged, supported, and ensured the security of private-sector investment. Afghanistan currently has production in sectors such as construction materials, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, food items, handicrafts, and several other areas, and there are broad investment opportunities in these sectors.

Furthermore, in the banking sector, numerous opportunities have emerged for investment in the development and promotion of Islamic banking.

Additionally, in terms of regional connectivity, Afghanistan is the closest and most secure route for transit and energy transmission between Central and South Asia. The Islamic Emirate has also enabled investment opportunities in the TAPI, CASA-1000, TAP, and railway projects.

The Islamic Emirate has established an inter-ministerial committee to provide all necessary facilities for domestic and foreign investors seeking to invest in Afghanistan. Currently, foreign investors arriving in Afghanistan no longer need to go through government offices or face bureaucratic delays; instead, they are connected with this committee, which provides them with all necessary information. This is an important step in expediting their work.

In addition, a consultative economic board is being established for Afghanistan’s economic development and progress, whose members are experts in the field of economics. Furthermore, work is underway on the formulation of a National Development Strategy for Afghanistan. Once completed, it will address existing economic challenges over the next five years.

In conclusion, I once again request that the United States shift from a posture of confrontation to cooperation in Afghanistan, play its role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction, and benefit from the investment opportunities available across the sectors mentioned above.

Thank you for your attention.