Acting Ministers of Finance and Higher Education Discuss Budget Issues of MoHE Projects

On June 16, 2020, H.E. Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, Acting Minister of Finance met with Mr. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai, Acting Minister of Higher Education to discuss budget issues in designing a number of projects for the Ministry of Higher Education.

The Acting Minister of Higher Education presented budget issues of designing a number of projects and their problems. The Ministry of Higher Education plans to build a number of educational institutes, universities, and related administrative offices, he added; and asked the Ministry of Finance toarrange budget for them, and discuss attracting donors who pledged cooperation to fulfill their commitments. Further, Mr. Balakarzaistated that there are two types of designs built for tropical and cold areas, which will be implemented in other provinces as well.

Then, the Acting Minister of Finance indicated that considering the coronavirus outbreak in Afghanistan, currently our main priority is combating coronavirus and its consequences. Although higher education is a government priority, he added, but the government has to allocate the aid it receives to fight the coronavirus. We will try to cooperate considering the available resources.Further, the Acting Minister of Finance indicated that the construction and establishment of universities and fields of study should be in line with people’s needs, priorities of labor market; and teaching quality should be standard; which the Acting Minister of Higher Education agreed with.

At the end, it was decided that a technical team from the budget department and aid management directorates of Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Higher Education should meet to discuss budget issues of designing the mentioned buildings and coordinate with donors for help.