The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has announced that construction on the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline project commences in Afghanistan today. The event will be marked by a ceremony attended by senior officials from the Islamic Emirate and Turkmenistan. According to ministry spokesperson Homayoon Afghan, all preparations for the project have been completed, and the initiation of work is expected to create both direct and indirect job opportunities for thousands of people.
Homayoon Afghan noted that with the official start of the TAPI project, thousands of Afghans will gain employment opportunities, and the country will benefit from access to affordable and sustainable energy. The project represents a significant economic venture for Afghanistan and the region, with the pipeline already having completed 214 kilometers on Turkmenistan’s soil. It will transport 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas annually to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) considers the TAPI project crucial for strengthening Afghanistan’s political and economic relations with neighboring countries. ACCI board member Khan Jan Alokozay expressed hope that the project will proceed without further delays and highlighted its immense importance for the Afghan economy. Alokozay believes that the commencement of this project will bring significant positive changes to the nation’s economic landscape.
Economic expert Shakir Yaqoubi emphasized the project’s potential impact, estimating that it could generate around $400 million in transit fees and provide access to substantial gas resources. Yaqoubi also noted that the TAPI project would enhance economic cooperation and interactions between Afghanistan and regional countries, bolster Afghanistan’s transit position, and secure a prominent place for the country in the evolving economic order. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that Afghanistan stands to receive nearly $450 million annually from transit fees associated with the TAPI project.
