KABUL - Finance Minister Eklil Ahmad Hakimi has said China One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative provided hope for Afghanistan after years of conflict and bloodshed in the war-torn country.
During an exclusive interview to CGTN Hakimi said: “There is a lot of potential inside Afghanistan. Chinese companies have invested in copper mine projects, and also oil fields in the north. The Chinese government has supported us in many development projects, irrigation and also affordable housing."
The Afghan finance minister and other government officials have been in Hainan Island of Chin for Boao Forum for Asia.
The Chinese Development Bank (CDB), the lead financial body for OBOR, invests $890 billion into over 900 projects.
China has also announced a $40 billion Silk Road Fund to invest in OBOR. This largesse would be spread over 60 countries – including Afghanistan.
"Last year, our GDP growth was close to 2 percent, this year, we anticipate it close to 3 percent," Hakimi said.
The International Monetary Fund projected a 2 percent real GDP growth for Afghanistan in 2016 and 3.4 percent for this year.
Since the withdrawal of NATO combat forces from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, Afghanistan has been wracked by violence as the Taliban continued to press their offensive, targeting mainly government forces and the Afghan military but with scores of civilians getting caught up in the deadly violence. (Pajhwok)