Mumbai/New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) Tata power, the largest power generation company in India, on Wednesday inked a pact with the Afghanistan government-owned power distribution company Da Afghanistan Bresha Sherkat (DABS) for distribution, transmission and generation of power in the neighbouring country in coming days.

The MoU was signed between Sanjay Banga, CEO of Tata Power Delhi Distribution and Dr Amanullah Ghalib, CEO, DABS in presence of Praveer Sinha, CEO, MD, Tata power Delhi Distribution and Dr Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Finance Minister of Afghanistan.

The MoU was signed on the first day of the four-day “Passage to Prosperity: India-Afghanistan International Trade and Investment Show” organised by USAID which opened here on Wednesday.

The four-day event was inaugurated by Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan along with Mr Subhash Desai, Minister of Industry, Maharashtra Government, John R Bass, US Ambassador in Afghanistan,

Marykay L Carlson, Charge D Affairs US Embassy in India and Praveer Sinha, CEO MD, Tata power.

Mr Sinha said, "Afghanistan has huge natural resources including rivers and sun power which can help sustain the country years to come as it become power surplus for exporting power to South Asian countries. At present only 35 per cent Afghanistan has access to power."

Dr Abdullah Abdullah said, "The security for increasing trade and business is still a hindrance in Afghanistan but can only delay the development process but cannot stop. The last trade show held in New Delhi last year had generated MoU's worth 200 million dollars and this year it is expected to double.”

On Monday, the Future Group, India’s leading retail through its various retail formats including Big Bazar had collaborated with USAID Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program (CHAMP) to deliver mutual benefits to both the Indian Consumers and Afghanistan horticultural producers.

More than 50 agriculture exporters from Afghanistan are currently visiting Mumbai to explore business tie ups as well as to showcase their finest high value agriculture products including fruits, nuts and spices for the first time for Indian buyers from Maharashtra and neighbouring states at the four-day event.

UNI SW SB 1523