Written question asked by Dan Jarvis (Labour) on Thursday, 25 February 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 March 2016 (named day). It was answered by Desmond Swayne (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 March 2016 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Afghanistan: Mining

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what political engagement her Department had with the Afghan government on extractives governance in 2015.

Answer: The British Embassy regularly engages with the National Unity Government on improving extractives governance to encourage responsible development of the extractives sector. The UK-funded Extractive Sector Support Programme provides technical advice to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum on legal and regulatory frameworks, contract management and fiscal regimes. The UK is also helping the Afghan Government to implement the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative. I raised this matter when I met President Ghani in June 2015.

Secondary information