Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: The Independent Board of Kabul New City Development, an autonomous body overseeing implementation of the mega construction project, on Sunday said the project would create 200,000 construction jobs, once work kicked off.
Expressing concerns over lack of human resources and construction capacity, caretaker of the independent board Yusuf Pashtoon said the these two challenges could affect implementation speed of the Kabul New City (KNC) project.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of “Interface Agreement” between Dehsabz–Barikab City Development Authority (DCDA) and Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI), he said that worth $6.5 billion agreements have been signed while others are in the pipeline to implement the project. To complete the project, 200,000 construction workers are required, he said, adding that overall around 500,000 workers would be required.
He stressed on training and capacity building of the human resources. Regarding dispute over land acquisition for the project, Pashtoon said that DCDA and the local shura (council) addressed 70 percent of challenges and efforts are underway to resolve the remaining.
Talking to reporters about the interface agreement signed with the MoCI, he said the agreement is aimed to attract investment in the area and create employment opportunities for the residents.
As per the agreement, MoCI will cooperate in line with economic growth of Afghanistan by creating permanent job opportunities in numerous fields and provide opportunities for private sector investments, creating MoCI led coordination committee with relevant government authorities to supervise the implementation and development plans of industrial parks and special economic zones within Kabul New City, to design and implement appropriate policies to support private sector investments in Kabul New City and to introduce national and international investors towards the development of KNC project.
“Lack of residential plots in the over populated capital city is not as big issue as poor job market. Therefore, we are seeking ways to expand industrial parks and trade zones in the New Kabul City,” he said.
Acting Minister of Commerce and Industries, Muzamil Shinwari, said that according to the agreement efforts would be made by the relevant organizations to attract private sector for investment and establish business zones in the new city.
He said that five industrial parks would be established in the new city where 2,500 acres had been allocated only for one phase of the industrial parks.
