A high-level UAE delegation made an official visit to Kabul this week for talks on Afghanistan's urgent needs and to explore investment opportunities as the war-ravaged country attempts to rebuild itself. Led by Mohammed al Mazrouei, undersecretary to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, the 16-member delegation met the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, to discuss how the Emirates could help the country improve its basic services, as well as development projects. "We are very happy that the UAE delegation visited Kabul," said Farid Zikirya, the Afghan ambassador to the UAE. "It was a very successful visit." He said the talks had come about after delegations from Kabul twice visited Abu Dhabi in the past five weeks to meet Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The UAE delegation, comprising business leaders and representatives from the energy, agriculture and construction sectors, flew to Kabul on Sunday for talks with Afghan officials that focused on three areas of urgent need. The first concern was how the US$250 million (Dh918m) aid pledged by the UAE in June would be spent. The funds were offered during the international donors' conference for reconstruction of Afghanistan, held in Paris. That meeting had been triggered by international concerns that security in Afghanistan was crumbling, leaving the country vulnerable to a resurgence of extremism. International donors pledged more than $21 billion to help Afghanistan redevelop its infrastructure and institutions, as well as combat drugs, poverty and violence. Mr Zikirya said the second issue was the extra Dh200m pledged by Sheikh Khalifa on top of the initial $250m donation. The second sum is to be spent on a Kabul housing project. "We are trying very hard to start on the Kabul housing project as soon as possible, as we have an immediate need in this regard," said Mr Zikirya. Sheikh Khalifa announced the Dh200m donation on Sept 21, two weeks after Mr Karzai's visit to Abu Dhabi, where he urged the UAE to continue backing Afghanistan. Sheikh Khalifa said: "We sincerely hope that the efforts made by the government of Afghanistan will lead to peace and security in that country, a matter which will have a positive reflection on the region as a whole." He went on to reiterate the UAE's support for Mr Karzai's efforts to bring stability to his country. The third area covered by the delegation involved representatives of UAE private investment groups. They were visiting Kabul to explore areas of investment in the energy, mining and agriculture sectors. The ambassador said each of these faced serious problems that need to be addressed immediately. "We have always had a very good relationship with the UAE in terms of private investments," he said. "Etisalat has invested over $300m in Afghanistan over the past two years, and the UAE has also provided close to $150m in different projects, mostly humanitarian and some reconstruction, in the last five to six years. "However, although this isn't the first example of co-operation between our two countries, this is nevertheless a very major step." Abdul Haq Amiri, an Afghan citizen and head of the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia regions of UNOCHA, the UN office co-ordinating humanitarian affairs, was delighted to hear of the UAE's continued interest in Afghanistan. "We in the UN always encourage donors and governments to give more money in terms of humanitarian and reconstruction programmes in Afghanistan and in other places where it's needed, as we are countries affected by crisis and require the aid," he said. "What it is important that we, as a community of human beings and responsible governments of the world, embrace our moral obligation to support those in need," he added. "This general support that comes from the Government of UAE is a working and crucial support and will have a great impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people who have suffered from conflicts in their countries, like the Afghanis." The UAE delegation met Mr Karzai, who assured them of his country's appreciation. "President Karzai's message was clear: 'We want our brothers and sisters of the UAE to come to Afghanistan and invest in it and to consider this country as their own; we will not be placing any conditions on their work. We want them to come here and to invest in Afghanistan,'" said Mr Zikirya. hkhalaf@thenational.ae
UAE pledges aid and finance to Kabul
Officials discuss allocation of more than Dh1bn, donated for reconstruction as well as the potential for private ventures.
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