There is no country in the world with greater untapped economic potential than Afghanistan - #InvestInAFG

The President of Afghanistan H.E. Ashraf Ghani said that the management of industry and production has been AFGHANIZED  and the government should become a partner in the private sector. Addressing a ceremony celebrating the “Industry Week” in the capital Kabul, Afghan president said that the activity of industry and the impact of their capital was tangible. “Four years ago, the management of industries was in the hands of foreigners, but today I see the absolute management of the Afghans, this is really a great progress.” He said the Afghanization of management in the industry and production showed that investors and industry workers provided a well-trained, perseverant and dignified workforce. “The government should remove the obstacles and become a partner of the private sector and industry – a real and long-term partner”, he added. The investment climate has changed in the last four and a half years in Afghanistan, and mutual trust and mutual respect between the private sector and the government has been created. The acting Industry and Commerce Minister H.E. Ajmal Ahmadi told the gathering that industry played a vital role in economic development and increasing exports of the country. He added his ministry was focusing on three main areas of industrial growth, improving business situation to turn Afghanistan from an importing country to an exporting country, infrastructure development and creating policies. The acting minister also mentioned ministry’s achievements and said that Afghanistan’s exports were close to USD 1 billion and the goal was to reach 2B in the next two years.

New American sanctions on Iran harm Afghan exporters

The Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Afghanistan (ACCI) said that news U.S. sanctions on Iran are one of the key challenges which threaten economic and trade activities through the Iranian sea port of Chabahar. At least 50 containers of Afghan goods are ready to be exported through Chabahar port to Chinese and Indian markets, but the export of the goods has been disrupted due to problems in money transactions. Afghan and Indian banks are not able to transfer money through the port, said a representative of ACCI. “The US treasury should permit the World Bank and IMF so that we can open the letter of credits,” said the ACCI representative.

💚 Ramadan Kareem!

I wish a Happy and Peaceful #Ramadan

to all my Afghan Friends & Colleagues

and all Muslims around the World!

#RamadanMubarakIvoTONIUT#RamadanKareem

Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce (AWCCI) among World Chambers Competition 2019 finalists

Representing 11 countries, the selected 16 chambers will each have the opportunity to present their innovative initiatives to the global network of chambers attending the 11th edition of the World Chambers Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 12-14 June 2019.

The finalists were selected from 76 submissions.

Taking place in conjunction with the World Chambers Congress, the World Chambers Competition is the only award program of its kind to recognize pioneering projects undertaken by chambers from around the world.

With more than 1,200 delegates from over 110 countries in attendance, the Competition provides the well-warranted visibility chambers deserve.

• Categories:

Best Education and Training Project, which acknowledges chambers who are proving that investing in education and training can be crucial to the establishment, advancement and success of small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and foster economic development and job creation.

Best SME and Entrepreneurship Development Project, which rewards exceptional chamber initiatives that are either helping SMEs and entrepreneurs to innovate and develop their business or strengthening job creation in their respective communities.

Best Unconventional Project, which recognising chambers that have developed unique and innovative projects in an activity not typically associated with their mission and objectives and in turn increases jobs to enhance local economies.

The 16 contenders will face-off before an international jury comprising ICC World Chambers Federation leadership, and appointed representatives from transnational, national and local chambers, as well as other leading international organisations. The jury is charged with selecting one initiative per category to be crowned World Chambers Competition champions. The official announcement is set to be made during the final day of the Congress at the Gala Dinner. Winners will receive a cash prize thanks to our sponsors to encourage chambers to further develop their programmes. ICC firmly believes in the potential of its chamber network and these initiatives not only benefit business but society as a whole.

The 16 chambers moving on to the final stage of the Competition are:

Best Education and Training Project: Thursday 13 June
Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nigeria)
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Philippines)
Cuenca Chamber of Industries, Production and Employment (Ecuador)
Gaziantep Chamber of Industry (Turkey)
Styria Chamber of Commerce (Austria)

Best SME and Entrepreneurship Development Project: Thursday 13 June
Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Afghanistan)
Cali Chamber of Commerce (Colombia)
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (Turkey)
Konya Chamber of Industry (Turkey)
National Confederation of Industry (Brazil)
Quito Chamber of Commerce (Ecuador)

Best Unconventional Project: Wednesday 12 June
Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (Turkey)
Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Russia)
NSW Business Chamber (Australia)
Para Service of Support to Micro and Small Enterprises – SEBRAE/PA (Brazil)
Qatar Chamber (Qatar)

Afghanistan to decide on Aynak copper deposit project soon

The acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Ms. Nargis Nehan, said that the Afghan Government is expected to announce its position on the fate of Mes Aynak copper deposit in the near future and that Government will terminate the contract if the contractor is no longer willing to move forward work on the project. “The main issue on the project is that on one hand there are historic sites located at Mes Aynak which archaeologists say that there is a need for underground extraction on the site so that the historic relics are not harmed, but the contractor company says that this approach is not economically good. We are trying to convene a meeting in a month to resolve the problem. There are two options on the talks: either the company starts work or the contract will be terminated,” the Minister said. Ainak mine is located in Logar Province and it is the biggest copper mine in Afghanistan that has attracted a lot of foreign investors. Aynak copper deposit is considered one of the biggest economic projects of Afghanistan with an estimated resource of 14 million tons.

Price of Afghan saffron have gone up by US$400

The prices of Afghanistan’s saffron have gone up by $400 in each kilogram in local markets after the exports of the spice to international markets have seen a dramatic increase.
Afghanistan harvested at least 14 tons of saffron last year and the amount is expected to increase this year, according to statistics by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan. Figures by the National Saffron Union, a private sector organization, show that the price of each kilogram of saffron in local markets was around US$500 ten months ago but now it has increased to US$900.

The Italian Government offers scholarships (for academic year 2019-2020) to Afghan citizens

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued a call for applications for scholarships offered by the Italian Government in favour of foreign nationals as well as Italians living abroad for academic year 2019-2020. The scholarships will allow the recipients to attend secondary education courses and research projects. Scholarships are a crucial means through which Italy promotes the exchange of knowledge, research and cultural cooperation abroad.

Once again, the initiative is also open to Afghan citizens. Additional information on the educational institutions included in the program and on the procedure to be followed when applying can be found at https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/en/call-for-procedure.

The deadline for applications, which are to be sent through the on-line platform "Study in Italy" (https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/) only, is set at 14:00 (CET) on 30th May 2019.

>>> MORE INFO at https://ambkabul.esteri.it/