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Afghan hydrocarbons: Addressing corruption to fuel development?

Use of Afghanistan’s oil and gas resources, if properly handled, could have considerable spinoff effects for development and reduce dependence on high-cost energy from neighbouring countries. But mistrust between local and central authorities, and a perception among domestic and international actors that corruption risks are widespread, suggests that governing the country’s hydrocarbons will be far from straightforward. Specific corruption challenges are compounded by insufficient skills and coordination within the hydrocarbon sector, plus the ongoing fragility of security where resources are located. Given these constraints, donors should seek further clarity from Afghan authorities on how they aim to develop and use their hydrocarbon resources, including how they plan to address corruption risks.

31 August 2010
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Afghan hydrocarbons: Addressing corruption to fuel development?

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Strand, A.; Williams, A. (2010) Afghan hydrocarbons: Addressing corruption to fuel development? Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Brief 2010 No 7) 4 p.

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Arne Strand

Aled Williams is a political scientist and senior researcher at Chr. Michelsen Institute and a principal adviser at the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre. He is responsible for U4's thematic work on corruption in natural resources and energy, and holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, on political ecology of REDD+ in Indonesia.

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