War-hit Afghanistan today sought Indian investments in several sectors including mining and manufacturing to

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enhance economic engagement between the two countries.

Visiting Afghanistan Trade and Industry Minister Anwar Ul Haq Ahady said there are huge opportunities for Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the South Asian country.

"We are eager to attract Indian investments and form closer trade links with India. Afghanistan is a virgin market, you will make good money here," Ahady said at CII's India Global Summit on MSMEs 2011 here.

He said that Indian SMEs can explore areas like plastics, poultry, packaging, food processing and preserving agri- products.

The bilateral trade between the two stood at USD 557.81 million in 2010-11.

To enhance that, Ahady said the trade between the two must be routed through Wagah border instead of Karachi, which is costly.

"We hope that this Transit Agreement which we have signed with Pakistan will enable India to export goods through Wagah," Ahady said.

Speaking on the occasion, MSME Minister Virbhadra Singh said that in the globalised era, proper understanding of the international market is essential for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to remain globally competitive.