Officials from the Iranian consulate have stated that Iran has the capacity and expertise to assist in the development of Afghanistan’s oil refineries.
They expressed a willingness to cooperate with Afghanistan’s private sector to strengthen the country’s energy industry, create jobs, and enhance self-sufficiency.
Sajjad Jafari, Deputy and Economic Attaché at the Iranian Consulate in northern Balkh province, recently visited a major petroleum refinery at the Hairatan Industrial Park.
He emphasised that Iran possesses the necessary experience and capacity in oil refining and could play a significant role in developing the sector in partnership with Afghanistan’s private sector.
Jafari added that expanding economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, would benefit both countries.
This collaboration could create employment opportunities and contribute to Afghanistan’s greater self-sufficiency.
Meanwhile, officials from Balkh’s petroleum refineries reported that the active refineries in the province have the capacity to refine crude oil extracted from the Amu Darya oil fields.
Abdul Jamil Zazai, head of the Balkh Petroleum Refineries Union, noted that, with a steady supply of domestic crude oil, the refineries could meet a significant portion of the country’s petroleum needs.
He stressed that oil extracted locally should be refined within Afghanistan rather than being exported.
Additionally, officials from the Department of Commerce and Industry assured full support for the petroleum refineries.
Nasir Ahmad Niazi, deputy director of the department, highlighted that supporting production and refining industries was a top priority. Efforts are underway to create the necessary conditions for the operation and expansion of refineries.
Earlier, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) announced the sale of an 18,000-tonne shipment of crude oil from the Qashqari field in the Amu Darya basin. The crude was sold through an auction to a refining company for approximately 700 million Afghanis.
Economic experts believe this sale reflects rising demand for Qashqari crude oil and signals improving revenues in Afghanistan’s energy sector. These developments could pave the way for further investment.
kk/sa
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