In an attempt to dispel fears over security, Afghanistan Thursday said investors would not only be rewarded with significant returns but also play an important role in the restoration of peace and stability within the region.
This appeal was made by Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul at the daylong Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan here.
“It is important to note that investors who choose to invest in Afghanistan will not only be rewarded with significant returns on their investments, but they will also play a vital role in the restoration of peace and security within the region,” Rassoul said at the inaugural event of the summit.
Despite the high levels of return on investments and efforts and measures to create enabling environment for investment, he said, concern on security was a major factor and had a significant impact on the level of investor interest in Afghanistan.
“While it is true that there are certain areas in Afghanistan where the security situation is not ideal, we should remember that these areas represent a small part of the country,” he said.
Stressing that the Afghan government was endeavouring to ensure the security and safety of the population, infrastructure and investments in all other parts of the country, he said it was also striving to restore complete security to all provinces in the process.
“As the transition to Afghan leadership is underway, I would like to draw your attention to one important aspect of an inter-linked relationship between economic growth and security,” he said.
“I believe greater investments results in increased economic national activities in any country including, but not limited to, additional revenues, job creation, income generation opportunities which in turn leads to increased prosperity and service delivery,” he said.
Rassoul also pointed out that it was widely recognised, and noticed throughout history, that greater wealth creation and prosperity had a direct impact on improving security in a country and within its region.