Afghanistan is an impoverished country. Not long ago, few experts would disagree with that statement. But today, a knowledgeable geologist would have another answer.
Afghanistan certainly isn't Dubai today, but the potential for wealth is hidden just below the country's ubiquitous rocks and sand.
On the banks of the Khookchar River in Faizabad, Mohammad Akbar is charged with guarding that wealth. His job is simple: discover and exploit the huge natural resources that lie beneath his feet for the benefit of Afghanistan.
"I think we can make Badakhshan and Afghanistan a world powerhouse in mineral extraction," he says, smiling.
If the United States Geological Survey is correct, Mr Akbar has a lot to smile about. During their 2010 report the Survey estimated that there is one trillion dollars of minerals available for extraction.
The service sector is the biggest contributor to Afghanistan's gross domestic product with its 42.1 per cent output. Agriculture is a good second with its 31.6 per cent output. But the industrial sector, including manufacturing and natural resource extraction, is growing fast. Currently, the industry is responsible for 26.3 per cent of country's gross domestic product and it has a lot more potential.
Some commentators have said that Afghanistan may have the most abundant mineral resources for its size in the world. Lithium, copper, iron ore, gold, natural gas, oil and precious stones are spread throughout the country.
The Aynak copper mine in Logar province holds the honour of drawing the single largest foreign investment ever, $3 billion dollars, from the China Metallurgical Group. If only Afghanistan would be more stable, it could attract more similar investments.
Along with mining, manufacturing has huge potential as well. Most consumer goods are imported as Afghanistan does not have enough of its own production. During the past ten years the situation has changed considerably as new factories have been established and old ones have been re-opened.
After decades of war and mismanagement, a huge industrial plant in Mazar-e Sharif is starting to grow again – appropriately making fertilizer.
Since the 1960's workers at the Mazar-e Sharif Fertilizer and Electricity Plant have been producing fertilizer and electricity to improve the economy in their agriculturally dependant country. Production was ground to a halt during the troubles of the past 20 years, but now engineers at the plant are saying they are confident to build for the future.
With the recent discovery of new gas deposits by the Afghan Ministry of Mines in Northern Balkh and Jawzjan provinces, the factory is gearing up to increase production. Engineer Mohammad Ali Sarmastzada, director of the Mazar-e Sharif Fertilizer and Electricity Plant, said the factory is capable of producing around 130,000 tons of urea nitrogen-based fertilizer a year.
"This amount of production can bring a huge economical change in the Afghan economy and with farmers," Mr Sarmastzada told Sada-e Azadi in an interview. "Our fertilizer is the best in the region because it has 46.6 percent nitrogen. Nitrogen is the main factor to improve roots of the plants. Therefore, we can say that we have honourable products for honourable Afghans."
Mazar-e Sharif Fertilizer and Electricity Plant is a state-run factory employing approximately 2,000 staff, including a number of young university graduates. The factory is a great example of rapidly growing future employment possibilities. Other good examples are the Melli Trading Company and Safi Apparel Corporation, which produce uniforms and equipment for the Afghan National Security Forces, employing hundreds of people.
So let's look at the percentage of the labour force employed by each sector in the entire country. This will illuminate how profitable and efficient each one is. Around 78 per cent of the labour force is involved in agriculture, 15 per cent in services and six per cent in industry.
The bottom line is that the industry and services sectors seem to be more efficient than agriculture. This is because a smaller amount of people are needed to make the same profits. If the industry sector is to continue its success, it will become the driving force for the development of the Afghan economy.
Articles in this series focus on the economy of Afghanistan. These articles are full of statistics and numbers. The real story however lies with people. Milk co-operative members in Herat, apple growers in Paktika, and mining executives in Badakshan all have one thing in common: their hard work, dreams and fortitude. People of Afghanistan and the land hold the key to a successful economic future; it will unlock the door.
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|2012-02-07 11:26:18 Afghan Pakhtoon - Authorities of Natural SourcesA.O.A ! Hope You All Afghan Have a bright Future. But one thing i tell you as according to past Afghan Scientist such as Ibne Sena and Al- Beruni etc they were the most popular scholar in the world. But still Afghanistan Have some Scholars and Every Afghan have the potential to become A most popular scholar and scientist in the world.Because i have seen a hidden potential in them and i believe that they are. But if some one give rights to the right people (engage them,motivate manage, improve and develop them). The most scientist mind people we have in Afghanistan but unfortunately no peace in our country destroy their imagine ideas and talent because without any proof talent can not express. All these compel us that now a day we sell our gold minerals and all expensive Natural sources. Which is not affordable by every Afghan. Why not we have stand on our own feet and instead of selling them to other country. Why not we use or utilize them in our own Country for Construction of Afg...
