JEDDAH – Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Bandar M. H. Hajjar, in Jeddah.
Foreign Minister praised the Islamic Development Bank’s assistance in launching various development projects in Afghanistan, including the construction of Doshi-Pul-e-Khumri and Andkhoy-Aqina roads, the construction of a girls’ dormitory at the Kabul University, and the irrigation project in Pashtun Zarghun district of Herat.
The Minister highlighted that Afghanistan’s water, agriculture, mineral resources, and strategic position could play a constructive role in energy transfer, food security, and transit of goods between the countries of South, Central, and West Asia and beyond, supporting the supply and value chain of the region.
Foreign Minister Atmar emphasized the expansion of links between Afghanistan and the Islamic Development Bank and called for deploying a technical team from the Islamic Development Bank to Afghanistan to identify investment opportunities and develop a clear vision for economic cooperation between this Bank and Afghanistan. Dr. Hajjar welcomed the Afghan Minister’s proposal about sending a technical delegation.
The Minister sought the support of the Bank on financing the International Islamic University of Afghanistan. The President of Islamic Development Bank assured Mr. Atmar of the Bank’s support, pending a feasibility study.
While assuring Minister Atmar of the Islamic Development Bank’s commitment to helping Afghanistan, Dr. Hajjar highlighted that creating an enabling environment for investment is an essential factor in the economic growth and development of countries and that the Bank was ready to assist Afghanistan in this regard.
The Foreign Minister thanked the President of the Islamic Development Bank for assisting and financing development projects in Afghanistan.
