KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) on Wednesday signed agreements with the General Directorate of State-Owned Companies and Azizi Group of Companies for natural gas extraction in northern Jawzjan province, coal extraction in Baghlan province and electricity generation.
The projects aim to increase domestic electricity production, strengthen energy security and support economic growth, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs said in a statement.
It said each project was designed to generate around 1,000 megawatts of electricity and that the agreements would remain in force for 30 years.
The two projects are expected to create around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, the statement added.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund described Azizi Group of Companies’ investment and the launch of economic projects in Afghanistan as important steps.
He said implementing the projects would pave the way for economic development and help reduce unemployment.
He urged relevant ministries and institutions to extend full cooperation to Azizi Group of Companies in carrying out the projects.
Azizi Group of Companies Chief Executive Mirwais Azizi said the company was committed to implementing various projects in Afghanistan, including gas and coal extraction and electricity generation.
He added that work was already under way on solar power projects in southern Ghazni province and in the Naghlu and Barikab areas of Kabul.
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