Practical works on Tuti-Maidan fields gas exploration and extraction project in Jowzjan and Faryab provinces with the participation of an Uzbek company have been commenced in Afghanistan, the press service of the acting Afghan Deputy PM in charge of Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund said.

TOLO News, citing the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, reported that a contract for the 25-year project was entered into with the international company KAM Group and the Uzbek company Railcom. The logo of the company Eriell KAM can also be seen in the footage from Baradar's speech.

The inauguration ceremony on September 14 in Balkh Province was attended by Abdul Ghani Baradar, the First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Mamatkarimov, Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz Bakhodirjon Sidikov, President’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev and others.

The Deputy PM Baradar Akhund said that the implementation of such a large-scale project was a signal of Afghanistan's readiness for investment.

"Thanks to this project, the country's dependence on imported gas and electricity will be reduced, the outflow of foreign currency will decrease, and over time, the foundation will be laid for gas exports abroad," he said.

Acting Minister of Mines and Oil Hidayatullah Badri noted that recent agreements between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan contribute to further strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

The President’s Envoy Ismatulla Irgashev reiterated Uzbekistan's commitment to supporting large economic projects in the country.

"This project can become a model of economic partnership between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and raise our relations from the level of historical neighborliness to a new stage of modern economic cooperation," Badri added.

Representatives of the contractors assured that the work will be carried out in accordance with international standards. Senior Advisor to KAM Group Mohammad Gul Helmi emphasized:

First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Mamatkarimov said that the project would pave the way to large-scale cooperation between the countries: "Advanced technologies will be used, and all environmental requirements will be taken into account."

According to the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Tooti-Maidan occupies an area of ​​7,500 square kilometers, where about 30 wells have already been drilled, and "has significant reserves of natural gas."