Karzai: Afghanistan offers exciting opportunities for investment

Afghan president Hamid Karzai attended the fifth Euro-Asia Economic Forum which kicked off today in Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi Province. The 3-day event aims to promote economic exchanges between Asia and Europe, and will discuss a series of agreements on how to enhance mutual sharing of infrastructure constructions, trade promotions, collaboration in energy and finance. President Hamid Karzai started his speech at the forum with Globalization and said, “Globalization is not only resulting in greater world economic integration and interdependence, but also in the rise of the new economic power houses of China and India, and the fast growing economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.” President Karzai further added that the benefits of globalization in Eurasia can best be realized if we work together to translate the extraordinary potentials and strengths of our populations, resources and markets. Karzai also insisted on the need for equitable and coherent strategies for multilateral economic cooperation, trade and connectivity, in order to achieve the aspirations for Eurasia as a driver of global economic growth in the 21st Century. He said, “I would like to share with you the opportunities and potentials of Afghanistan contributing to the modern day revival of the Silk Road, and the formation of a new Euro-Asia inland economic architecture.” President Karzai also pointed towards the importance of geographical location of Afghanistan and said Afghanistan is a natural land bridge for transit and commerce between east and west, and the rich markets of Central and South Asia. He said, Afghanistan is well-positioned to contribute to promoting trade and transport links between European and Asian economic centers. During his speech at the forum, president Karzai vowed that Afghanistan stands ready to help accelerate economic collaboration and growth in Eurasia and South Asia by facilitating the transfer of energy, rail and road transportation, communication, and trade development. He also endorsed President i Jinping’s proposal for the developmetn of a Silk road Economic Belt during his speech, and said that the renewal and promotion of the Silk Road, of which Afghanistan is a part, will not only unleash unprecedented opportunities for regional cooperation and integration, but will also contribute to global economic growth and security. President Karzai also said that Afghanistan offers exciting opportunities for investment and business development. We have vast unexploited natural resources including minerals, hydrocarbons and other materials that our neighbors and regional partners need to build and sustain their industrial economies. “I encourage business participants at this Forum to explore business opportunities in Afghanistan, and to follow the example of the Metallurgical Company of China and the China National Petroleum Corporation by investing in Afghanistan,” President Karzai said.