The US Geological Survey believes that Afghanistan sits over mineral resources and gold deposits worth $3trn to $13trn, according to the country’s visiting President Hamid Karzai.
Unbelievably, vast treasures of oil and gas, gold, precious stones — including ruby — and other valuable minerals remain buried under the rugged terrains of the country.
Addressing elite Qatari businessmen here on Saturday, Karzai said his country offered huge and lucrative investment opportunities in different sectors, prominent among them being mining and quarrying, power generation, cement production, housing and hospitality industries as well as aviation.
A number of Qatari businessmen showed a keen interest in investing in the mining sector of Afghanistan, particularly, but expressed concern over the security situation there. Karzai, however, told them his country was safe and secure and there was no need for concern.
“Afghanistan is ready to welcome you with open arms. Investment in any sector will give you good returns,” said the president, albeit adding that power generation and housing were the two key areas that promised instant returns.
China was the first country to invest in Afghanistan — in copper mining with their stake totalling a massive $4.5bn.
But India surpassed China with a total investment of $11bn, Karzai added.