Majority businessmen pull out investment from Hiratan Port

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhowk): The volume of crude oil and gas imports through Hairatan and Aqina ports have declined to 70,000 tonnes from 500,000 tonnes monthly, officials of the Crude Oil and Gas Union in the northern zone said on Monday.

Meanwhile, Balkh Chamber of Commerce said that only 500 businessmen remained in the Hiratan Port while their number previously stood at 3,000, adding that majority of investors had withdrawn their capitals.

AreshYounisi, head of the Balkh Chamber of Commerce, said two days back crude oil tankers were reduced to ashes due to the negligence of officials.

He expressed concern over the fire incident and added if the government did not pay proper attention, similar incident could happen in Hiratan Port.

He said: “More than 20 tankers loaded with oil and gas are stopped in Hairatan Port illegally. Officials say that the tankers are overloaded while we have completed the customs and duty procedures.”

He said the Serious Crime Department is recently meddling in affairs of customs department due to which businessmen are faced with problems.

According to Younisi, nearly 3,000 businessmen had previously invested capital in Hairatan Port while currently the investment of only 500 investors remained.

He added the government has been creating unnecessary problems for the people due to which the volume of imports had declined.

“In the past, 300,000 tonnes of crude oil and gas would arrive via Aqina Port while 200,000 tonnes of crude oil was imported via Hairatan Port. Currently, import of crude oil via both ports cannot cross 70,000 tonnes.”

He asked the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance to address the problems of businessmen in the north.

Nh/ma

Views: 145