Uzbek Companies Granted Exploration Licenses in Afghanistan
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has granted official licenses to Uzbek companies to conduct geological research in Afghanistan and extract hydrocarbon resources such as oil and gas.
Mirzamuhammadov emphasized that stability in Afghanistan and the development of its infrastructure would provide Uzbekistan with access to the world’s free waters.
Economic affairs analyst Shamsurrahman Ahmadzai said: “If this license is granted to a foreign country like Uzbekistan, it is also beneficial for us, but the system should be structured in a way that extraction and processing take place here, and the products that result from it are exported to their country — that would be in our favor.”
Another economic affairs analyst, Abdul Ghafar Nezami, added: “It’s important to focus on the quality and professionalism of the companies. Countries that have good experience and a solid track record in mining, possess advanced machinery, and perform efficiently should be invited and contracts signed with them, so we do not repeat experiences like Qashqari, which we had with China.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan confirmed the cooperation, saying that several contracts have been signed with both domestic and foreign companies — particularly with Uzbek companies — for oil and gas exploration and extraction.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, these agreements are a clear indication of growing economic relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Homayoon Afghan, also stated: “This agreement is a clear sign of the relationship between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The Islamic Emirate wants to maintain good relations with countries and create opportunities for investment within the country.”
According to the ministry, the gas exploration and extraction contract for the Toti Midan area has been signed with an Uzbek company, which is currently in the exploration phase. The ministry added that Toti Midan is one of Afghanistan’s major natural gas sources, and after the completion of the exploration phase, the extraction process will also begin.
