
KABUL (PAN): Russia would export half a million tonnes of oil a year to Afghanistan at concessionary rates, a cabinet minister announced on Sunday.
An agreement to the effect was reached during last week's visit of delegation of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to Moscow for talks on oil sales.
Commerce and Industry Minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi told reporters in Kabul the delegation had signed agreements with three semi-government Russian companies, including TNK-BP.
He said the three firms would provide Afghanistan 500,000 tonnes of fuel annually. The oil would be five to 10 dollars cheaper than international market rates, Ahadi added.
He said the Afghan team had also reached an agreement with Russia on providing necessary information about oil supplies to Afghanistan.
Both public and private sectors would import fuel from Russia. Private-sector imports will be based on a letter from the Ministry of Commerce to ensure the product's availability and its satisfactory rates.
The Russian firms would keep the Afghan government informed about the rates of oil purchased by the private sector, he said. "The information will help prevent sellers from price manipulation."
Ahadi said that 10,000 tonnes of diesel, purchased from Russian, would reach soon the country, which needs three million tonnes of oil per annum to meet military and civil needs.
Moscow to sell Kabul fuel at lower rates: Ahadi | Pajhwok Afghan News

Comment