Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Kabul (BNA) Minister of Steel of India was received by Second Vice-President, Mohammad Karim Khalili discussing grounds for expansion of mutual economic cooperation. At the meeting, attended by the minister of mines, the Indian minister expressed the willingness of the Indian private sector in investments to extract mines and other spheres in Afghanistan and assured that the financial and technical company of the Hajigak mine that is expected to be extracted by the Indian companies will be utilized and the operational work on this project will soon start. According to the Indian minister extraction of the Hajigak iron mines is one of the greatest foreign investment in Afghanistan that in addition to the economic prosperity, can prepare the ground for employment of thousands of labor in the country. The Indian delegation also expressed interest of his government for extraction of other mines and underground resources of Afghanistan. Touching on the common political bonds, Khalili recalled amicable ties between the two nations and appreciated the Indian government for taking great part in reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressed satisfaction over the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement between Kabul and New Delhi. Khalili called the Hajigak mine extraction by the Indian companies’ consortium a great step towards further strengthening of friendly ties and consolidation of mutual cooperation in political, economic spheres between the two nations. He added that the more Indian investments increases in Afghanistan the better political ties get further consolidated between the two nations. According to Khalili India has its special place in Afghanistan and no factor can weaken this position. He expressed the hope that with the extraction of Hajigak mine by the Indian companies, in addition to strengthening of mutual cooperation implementation of this project can change the economy and level of life of the residents of the area. Enumerating the investment opportunities in Afghanistan he added that the government of Afghanistan shall continue its strivings towards further encouragement of foreign investments in the country.
