Afghanistan has awarded its first oil development contract amid cautious optimism that the strife-ridden country may yet attract foreign investment to develop its resources sector.
Under an initial six-month deal to restart crude production from the Angot field, which straddles Afghanistan's border with Tajikistan, Afghan mines ministry employees will operate several wells that are to be uncapped in coming days. Ghazanfar Neft Gas, a local family-run firm that owns petrol stations in Afghanistan, will collect and market the crude.
If the arrangement is successful, Kabul plans to auction a long-term production-sharing contract for crude output at Angot and four other developed but idle oilfields in northern Afghanistan's section of the Amu Darya Basin of Central Asia.
"This is just the beginning, but the potential is great," Waheedullah Shahrani, the Afghan mines minister, told the Washington Post.
Angot would initially pump only 800 barrels per day, yielding Kabul a revenue share of about $12 million (Dh44m) per year. Nevertheless, US officials who helped Afghanistan's government craft its plan to develop the country's mineral and agricultural resources, estimate the Amu Darya concession could eventually generate as much as US$50 million per year in government revenue.
The region containing the oilfields is relatively peaceful, far removed from Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan.
tcarlisle@thenational.ae
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
