Taliban Industry Minister Urges Regional Investment in Afghanistan
Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban administration’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, called on regional investors to invest in Afghanistan’s economic projects during a regional trade connectivity conference between Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan, held on the sidelines of the Abu Hanifa National and International Exhibition in Kabul.
Speaking at the event, organized by Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Azizi highlighted key sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, industry, infrastructure, and cold storage as priority areas for investment. He stated that such conferences could enhance economic cooperation between neighboring countries.
Azizi also referenced the achievements of previous trade connectivity conferences organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey, describing them as effective in advancing the economic strategies of the Taliban administration.
The minister claimed that the Taliban, through a balanced policy focused on economic self-reliance, has taken steps to expand industrial parks and increase factory activity. He said that thousands of acres of land have been allocated for industrial use. However, he did not address challenges such as the lack of legal and security guarantees for both domestic and foreign investors.
In closing, Azizi once again urged conference participants to play an active role, sign practical agreements, and invest in Afghanistan with confidence to foster regional economic growth based on shared interests. His remarks come amid a difficult investment environment in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, marked by political instability, the collapse of the banking system, and a large-scale exodus of investors.
