Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Private Sector to Invest $900m in Energy Sector

Private Sector to Invest $900m in Energy Sector

KABUL - Deputy finance minister Khalid Painda on Monday said the private sector would invest $900 million in the energy sector alone through public-private partnership.
Painda told a press conference here that the government was planning joint ventures with the private sector for economic development, creating job opportunities, implementing infrastructural projects and offering quality services to the people.
“It the government’s public-private partnership policy is aimed to attract investment and skills of the private sector, implement infrastructural projects, reduce reliance on foreign aid and effectively use public assets and properties,” he said.
“Our talks with the private sector are underway for implementing two solar power projects in Kandahar province, building the second phase of the Kajaki Dam and generating electricity by using liquefied gas in Mazar-i-Sharif and Shebrghan cities,” he said.
The deputy finance minister said the private sector was willing to invest in 170 various projects and invest $900 million in the energy production area alone.
Firoz Khan Masjidi, assistant for the private sector at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), said the government was struggling with lack of infrastructure, delays in implementation of development projects, reliance on foreign funds and poor quality services.
“If we want to improve our economy and provide needed services to the people, then we have to work jointly with the private sector, both the private sector and the government can benefit in this case,” he said.
Sardar Mohammad Momand, commercial assistant at the MoCI, said, “Despite missing many opportunities, we still can develop a powerful economy in near future if start right now.”
He said insecurity and administrative corruption discouraged the private sector from making investments and these issues were addressed, many foreign and domestic capitalists would invest in Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)