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Finance ministers of Afghanistan and Georgia interested in deepening cooperation in the field of transport

Finance Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr Eklil Hakimi, visited Georgia on 28-29 June to meet local authorities and discuss trade and economic issues with them. The first meeting has been held with the Finance Minister of Georgia, Mr Dimitry Kumsishvili. Hakimi had also meetings with other members of the Government of Georgia and local business representatives. Besides trade-economic relations between Georgia and Afghanistan, Mr Hakimi shown also interest in deepening cooperation in the field of transport and in those successful reforms that Georgia has been implementing in various directions. While meeting with representatives of the private sector, Afghan Minister has been introduced to Georgia’s agriculture sector and its opportunities. Get the benefits of IvoTONIUT's expertise of the Afghan market. ivotoniut.com

Uzbekistan attempts to further enhance ties with Afghanistan

After the change of leadership in Uzbekistan, it has been widely acknowledged that the country’s new president, Shavkat Mirziyaev, is pursuing a more proactive and constructive regional diplomacy in Central Asia than his predecessor. Along with Mirziyaev’s attempts to further enhance ties with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan as well as his efforts to improve ties with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the Uzbekistani government also significantly altered its approach toward another important neighbor: Afghanistan. Heralding the arrival of a new era in bilateral relations, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov made an official visit to Afghanistan in January 2017, the first such visit to Kabul by a high-ranking official from Tashkent in almost two decades. During the visit, Kamilov said that his government would no longer look at Afghanistan solely through the prism of security threats, which was the predominant approach over the last 25 years. Instead, he said, Uzbekistan wanted to res

Узбекистан планирует реализовать на территории Афганистана ряд инфраструктурных проектов

Узбекистан планирует реализовать на территории Афганистана ряд инфраструктурных проектов, таких как строительство железных и автомобильных дорог, а также высоковольтных линий электропередач, следует из проекта постановления президента Шавката Мирзиеева. Документом предусмотрено утверждение комплексной программы диверсификации внешнеторговых маршрутов перевозки грузов и их интеграции в международную инфраструктуру. В рамках предлагаемых мер намечается ряд инфраструктурных проектов на территории Афганистана: создание транспортного экономического коридора на северо-западе страны, формирование и реализация проекта строительства железной и автомобильной дорог, а также высоковольтной линии электропередач по маршруту Мазари-Шариф–Шиберган–Маймана–Герат. Для поддержки национальных экспортеров, повышение конкурентоспособности их продукции на зарубежных рынках прорабатываются вопросы получения тарифных преференций при транзитной перевозке основных экспортных грузов (хлопковое волокно, минерал

Road Project in Afghanistan: Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) Consulting Services for Design, Survey and Site Investigation

The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) of Afghanistan is implementing a number of highway projects that involve the design, rehabilitation and reconstruction of priority sections of the Nation's transport network. For this purpose, survey, site investigation and design, on behalf of the Employer are required to assist MPW's for the Ring Road Project from Qaisar to Laman in Afghanistan with the selected Consultant for the provision of comprehensive Consultancy Services for Survey, Site Investigation and Design of Laman to Dari Bum Section of the Ring Road in connection with 'Rehabilitation and Construction of Qaisar to Laman Ring Road Project in Afghanistan'. Assignment Title: Consulting Services for Design, Survey and Site Investigation (Geotech) KM 110 to 192 with total lenght 82 KM (Laman-Dara-e-Bum Section of Ring Road in Badghais) Duration of Assignment: 12 months Implementing Agency: Ministry of Public Works of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Contrac

В афганской столице стартовал проект по строительству линий метробусов

О планах запустить новый наземный транспорт рассказал исполняющий обязанности мэра Кабула Абдулла Хабибзай. Он отметил, что первая фаза проекта будет реализована в течение года. Ожидается, что новая транспортная система обеспечит жителям Кабула удобство передвижения по городу. Кроме того, Хабибзай сообщил о планах по строительству новых дорог и парков на территории афганской столицы. Get the benefits of IvoTONIUT's expertise of the Afghan market. ivotoniut.com

After Germany and France, also Italy closes Visa Office in Afghanistan

Following the terrorist attack of May 31 that hit the diplomatic district of Kabul and due to the deterioration of security situation in the capital, the Visa Office of the Embassy of Italy to Afghanistan has been temporarily closed. Consequently all scheduled appointments have been cancelled and no new appointments can be granted until further notice. During the temporary suspension of the activities, according to the article 6.2 of the Regulation (EC) n. 810/2009 (Community Code on Visas), Afghan citizens may apply for visas at the Italian Embassies and Consulates in third countries. A seguito dell’attentato terroristico avvenuto il 31 maggio 2017 nel quartiere diplomatico di Kabul e del progressivo aggravamento delle condizioni di sicurezza nella capitale, l’Ufficio Visti dell’Ambasciata d’Italia in Afghanistan è stato temporaneamente chiuso.  Di conseguenza, tutti gli appuntamenti sono stati cancellati e non potranno esserne forniti altri fino a nuova comunicazione. Sar

پیام رئیس جمهور غنی و خانم اول كشور به مناسبت فرا رسیدن عید سعید فطر

Recommendations for the development of the Afghan capital Kabul

The President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, held a meeting in the Presidential Palace to discuss the plan for development of Kabul city. Head of the independent directorate of capital zone development, Elham Hotaki, presented 15 recommendations for the development and economic growth of the capital to the meeting. Cleaning of Kabul river, construction of 100 schools and clinics, empowerment of women, preparation and management of water distribution, and coordination of efforts for the establishment of commercial market for the women in a bid to create jobs for over 100,000 people were some of the recommendations. The meeting was attended by CE Abdullah, cabinet members, presidential advisers, members of the independent directorate of the local governance, and representatives of donors supporting the Kabul program. Emphasizing on the need for creating jobs for the people, President Ghani said subsequent meetings would be held to discuss the creation of momentum to implement the develop

Первый шаг к достижению прозрачности в Афганистане во время выполнения строительных гос-контрактов

Инициатива по обеспечению прозрачности в строительном комплексе (COST) в Афганистане и министерства восстановления и развития села и общественных работ Афганистана подписали трехстороннее соглашение, согласно которому информация о строительных объектах будет доступна общественности. Соглашение входит в список реформ, которые Правительство национального единства ИРА должно провести в обмен на международную помощь. Одним из основных требований международных саммитов по Афганистану, в частности, прошедшего в Брюсселе в октябре 2016, являлась прозрачность расходования предоставленных средств афганским правительством.

Afghan women break taboos with TV channel

Corruption-free Afghanistan is not a 'mission impossible'

Following security, corruption is the second major concern for Afghans. While Afghanistan has failed to comply with international demands in fight against corruption, President Ghani, decisively has taken a new approach; reform in public procurement. Public procurement in Afghanistan is responsible for 50% of annual budget expenditure and 19% of the GDP. For a country that is highly dependent on foreign aid, abovementioned figures are critical. President Ghani after assuming power formed National Procurement Authority (NPA); a national and centralized body responsible for facilitating procurement procedures, formulating and analyzing procurement policies and monitor the implementation of the contracts in accordance with Afghanistan’s procurement law and set standards. Since its establishment in 2014, the government has been able to save almost $224 million which is equal to 3.5% of the national budget for 2017. NPA’s skillful, committed and educated team along with a robust leadersh

103rd meeting of Afghanistan National Procurement Commission

At the 103rd meeting of National Procurement Commission (NPC), held on 19 June 2017 at Presidential Palace and presided by H.E. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, were approved the following contracts-projects: The asphalt and construction projects of roads in 4th, 11th, and 15th districts of Kabul belong to Kabul Municipality; To build and reconstruction of Laqi, Shahrwan and Seyah Aab canals in Takhar province, belong to Ministry of Energy & Water; The recruitment of a consultancy firm for Trans-Hindukush connecting road project, belong to Ministry of Public Works; The maintenance service project of Hamid Karzai international airport; The maintenance service project of radar system in Balkh province, belong to Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority; The 191 items of vehicle components belong to Ministry of Interior; Procurement of IT equipment for Capital Region Independent Development Authority (CRIDA); The public awareness projec

Italy contributes with EUR 2.5 million to fight polio in Afghanistan

The Italian Cooperation has contributed with 2.5 million euros to the polio eradication program in Afghanistan. This contribution is going to the United Nations specialized agencies, WHO and UNICEF, that are collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and other international partners for the implementation of the “National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication 2016-2017” aiming at interrupting the disease transmission in Afghanistan. Polio eradication is one of the most important public healthcare priorities at the global level and it is internationally supported by GPEI (Global Polio Eradication Initiative). The goal of polio eradication has never been closer: in 2016 only 36 cases were registered in 3 countries worldwide. Afghanistan, with 13 cases reported along with Pakistan and Nigeria, is one of them. And it is in Afghanistan that the program has made significant progress in 2016, thanks to the strengthening of the operational structures, the increasing of the v

Afghanistan has received USD 180 million in new incentives from World Bank for making progress in the fight against corruption

Afghanistan has received USD 180 million in new incentives from World Bank for the implementation of key reforms and making progress in the fight (if 😒) against corruption. The Ministry of Finance spokesman Ajmal Abdul Rahimzai told reporters in Kabul that the Ministry of Finance has received USD 189 million from Word Bank due to the efforts of the government in the fight against corruption and bringing essential reform on 5 key sections. Rahimzai further added that of USD 900 million dollars allocated by the World Bank for incentives, the Ministry of Finance has received 550$ million dollars so far. He said the USD 900 million incentives are committed for three year 2016 to 2018. According to Rahimzai, the Afghan government is expecting to receive the remaining amount in coming three years. This comes as the United Nations in a report said late in April that the Afghan authorities have made heady in their fight against corruption although it stated that enormous changes still rema

World Bank funds greenhouses in central Afghanistan

Eight greenhouses have been recently built in different areas of Tirinkot, the provincial capital of central Uruzgan province. Funded by the World Bank, the greenhouses are built on 2,850 square meters of land at a total cost of 29 million Afghanis. Provincial director of agriculture and livestock Eng. Zalmai Aloko said each greenhouse would be capable of producing 68 tons of cucumber, 56 tons of tomato, 40 tons of lettuce and 36 tons of eggplant every year. He added that work on the construction of 28 more greenhouses was underway to further help improve agricultural production in the province. Currently, 38 greenhouses are functional in Uruzgan. >>> READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE

World Bank announced more than USD 500 million Afghanistan financing

The World Bank on June 13 announced a financing package for Afghanistan of more than USD 500 million to help the country through a difficult phase in its struggle to end poverty and to signal a long-term commitment to the country’s people. The package will help Afghanistan with refugees, expand private-sector opportunities for the poor, boost the development of five cities, expand electrification, improve food security, and build rural roads. The financing includes grants from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, as well as contributions from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF – managed by the World Bank) and from other partners, including Denmark, Germany and Japan. “This approval of new grants confirms the World Bank Group’s strong commitment to the people of Afghanistan in helping them overcome the daunting development challenges facing the country,” said Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Country Director for Af

Americans came to Afghanistan under the ploy of fighting against terrorism, however terrorism strengthened by US presence

The US mission has failed in the counter narcotics combat besides the fight against terrorism. One of the main goals of US military mission in Afghanistan was to fight against opium; however, it was not only eliminated in its presence, but its graph has been hiking each year.  This year, poppy is claimed to have been cultivated in many areas in the northern provinces besides the south of the country, and thus, Afghanistan has produced an amount of opium which is unparalleled over the past decade.  The war in Afghanistan is not a civil war. It's a drug war, it's a terrorist war and it's also a state to state undeclared war. - President Ashraf Ghani on Twitter Local authorities in southern Helmand province and northern provinces of Afghanistan acknowledge that this year far more poppy has been cultivated than any time in the past, terming insecurity the main factor of its increase. Helmand tribal leaders reveal poppies have been cultivated on 80% of fields in the provi

Afghanistan welcomes first-ever women's magazine with features on fashion

The cover of Gellara features famed model and singer A new women's magazine is turning the page on Afghan cultural traditions, with features on fashion, make-up and even adverts about birth control. The first edition of Gellara, a fashion magazine espousing what conservative Afghans call hardcore feminism, has just been published by an all-volunteer team of women. It is inspired by Western magazines such as Vogue and Allure, and offers models with uncovered hair and articles that deal with pregnancy, fashion and birth-control tips. "It's time for Afghanistan to introduce a positive, colourful image of women from this country to the world," Fatana Hassanzada, the editor-in-chief of Gallera, told Al Jazeera. "One of our aims is to show women they have the right to choose the style of dress that they like. "No woman would choose a burqa that covers them from head to toe. They don't even allow a woman to walk properly." However, many Afghans - part

Afghanistan National Procurement Commission (NPC) approved 11 contracts worth approximately 3.5 billion Afs

Procurement Transparency, Empowering Economy! During the 102 session of National Procurement Commission (NPC) that was held at the Presidential Palace on the 11th day of June 2017 and presided by the President of Afghanistan Dr. Ashraf Ghani, out of 26 procurement contracts and issues which were included in the agenda, 11 contracts with the total value of roughly 3.5 billion AFN were approved, that included the followings: The contract for transit of 138 thousand metric tons of wheat from India; The recruitment of a consultancy firm for scheme and design of Dar-ul-Amaan area`s administrative complex master plan; The Contract modification for planning, scheme and design project of Kabul city; The Contract modification for road construction of Piruzi town; The road project of Mehtarlaam Baba to BaadPakh district of Laghman province with 20 kilometers long, which is approved conditionally; The construction project of road starting from km 41 to km 51 from Bangi to Ishkamis

Afghan Government slammed for spending less development budget

Members of the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Afghan Parliament) summoned the finance and economy ministers as well as the National Procurement Authority officials to discuss government’s development projects and the uplift budget spending issues in the first sixth months of this fiscal year. The finance minister Eklil Hakimi said government has spent 15 percent of its development budget in the first six months of the current fiscal year. “According to the information which I received today (Saturday), at least 15.5 percent of the (development) budget has been spent (by government institutions). This is not acceptable for me, too,” said Hakimi. The National Procurement Authority director Yama Yari meanwhile labeled lack of capacity in procurement, insecurity and corruption as main reasons for insufficient budget spending in government institutions. “Lack of capacity in procurement and negligence of (a number of) ministries in implementation of their projects are the main problems and we

China to cooperate with Afghanistan in executing a hydropower project on the Kabul-Kunar River

China will cooperate with Afghanistan in reviving the Sher Khan Bandar-Herat railway track and executing a hydropower project on the Kabul-Kunar River. To the effect, Afghan envoy to China, Janan Musazai, and a Chinese construction company today signed two cooperative memoranda of understanding (MoUs), a statement from the Presidential Palace said. The development comes after a meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan. Under the MoUs, the Chinese company will finance and conduct feasibility studies and prepare a plan for execution of the Sher Khan Bandar-Herat railway over the next one year, the Presidential Palace said. The Chinese company will also perform feasibility study and develop an implementation plan for an electricity project on the Kabul-Kunar river in the next six months. >>> READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Over 60% of Afghan mid-level taxpayers evade taxes

On average, 15,000 mid-level taxpayers deny paying an estimated 17 billion afghanis amount in taxes annually in Afghanistan. An official at the Ministry of finance (MoF) said some individuals in power or being powerful refused to pay taxes. They included parliament members and those having close links with government officials and tribal elders, he said. Producers or business companies with investment or products value ranging between five hundred million to one billion afghanis are considered middle level taxpayers. The criterion is different for other provinces. NGOs, wedding halls, restaurants, hotels, tourist agencies, schools and others are in the category of middle level taxpayers provided their investment could meet the defined standards. 41 billion afg tax money is evaded According to Amena Ahmadi, head of middle-level taxpayer department at the MoF, of total 23,000 middle level taxpayers, 9,955 paid 10 million afg in 2015, while in 2016 of the total 25,500 middle level tax

‘Hello’ from Afghanistan

Credit Mateen Qarizada Hello! Do you hear me? My colors are fading, my people are dying I am crying for peace I want the war to cease My children are begging on the streets, suffering in the torching heat They are the hope of the future- a future I can’t give The war has torn me apart, I can’t ever forgive Hello! Do you hear me? My women are stoned and burned on the streets I am a victim of “religion”-a religion I don’t believe Is He watching me from the skies? Is there anyone hearing my cries? My men are beheaded, as if they don’t have a soul Young and old are marching, asking why this violence? We see them in pain, we see them suffering; yet there is silence Hello! Do you hear me? I am the land of beauty, embossed in magnificent mountains My hills are glorious; my green lands are vivid The world speaks of my hunger, poverty, war; I’m livid I am the splendor of the region, the heart of the Silk Road

China willing to support the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in achieving peace and political reconciliation

China has voiced its willingness to help Afghanistan speed up national and political reconciliation, peace and stability, Afghan foreign ministry said yesterday. China supported Afghanistan in conducting peaceful reconstruction and advancing reconciliation. The ministry's special envoy for Afghan affairs Deng Xijun attended the Kabul Process conference yesterday. China stood ready to continue to play a constructive role for an early realization of national and political reconciliation as well as peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, a statement from the ministry said. The Kabul Process conference opened in Kabul to discuss security and peace. Representatives of several neighboring and other important countries, including China, participated. The conference asked militants groups to agree on a ceasefire and start peace talks with the Afghan government immediately. A statement from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on Wednesday quoted the meeting’s participant

مشاعره گل سرخ مزار شریف - Mushahira Gul-e Surkh Mazar-e Sharif

Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed electricity projects of common interest

Afghanistan’s Energy and Water Minister Ali Ahmad Osmani discussed the latest condition of electricity projects with his Turkmen counterpart on the sideline of Energy Charter meeting, which was held in Ashgabat.   According to a statement from the Afghan Energy and Water Ministry, the ongoing electricity projects discussed included increasing the voltage of electricity to Herat province via the Sarhadabad route of Turkmenistan, distribution of electricity to parts of Badghis and Jawzjan provinces, electricity import on Sheberghan-Pul-e-Khumri route and the electricity supply project of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan (TAP) via Herat-Kandahar route. In addition, Turkmenistan promised to finish the construction work of the 110KV electricity project in Badghis province by the end of 2017. The two parties finalized the import of electricity to Badghis province and also conferred on six development projects coming from Turkmenistan. The Energy Charter Foruman, an inter-governmental o

Afghanistan Public Procurement

Public Procurement is frequently considered to be a back-office function; however, after 1990s, it was marked as one of strategic economic functions of the government and today it has become even more important from a strategic perspective because shortfalls in public procurement can affect the entire government development programs, for a big chunk of public money is expended through public procurement and in return services are rendered to the public. Therefore, ineffective and inefficient procurement would result in waste of public money, ineffective service delivery and public disenfranchisement.  That’s why today, procurement can act as a vital tool for implementation of broader socio-economic policies of the government. #transparency  #accountability  #fairness In Afghanistan, Public Procurement was established in 2006 when the procurement law was adopted. The law later on was amended in the year 2009 and 2014 through legislative decrees and was under review of the Wolesi Ji

Efforts underway to boost olive production in eastern Afghanistan

In the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar it is expected olive production over 1,200 tons this year.  Ghulam Hazrat Abdul Rahimzai, head of the Nangarhar Canal, said given the largest harvest of olive from the fields, the olive production is estimated to surpass 1,200 tons this year. He added that efforts were underway to boost olive production in the province next year. According to Rahimzai, more than 500,000 olive plants have been prepared to be planted in the Canal in the upcoming year. He further added that the government has managed to recover 4,600 acres of land from the land grabbers belonging to the Canal Directorate. >>> READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Афганский энергохолдинг 'Брешна' планирует увеличить закупки электроэнергии из Таджикистана на 100 МВт

В настоящее время Афганистан закупает из Таджикистана около 300 МВт электроэнергии, однако этого количества недостаточно, чтобы покрыть потребности страны, особенно в зимнее время, когда ГЭС Таджикистана вырабатывают меньше электричества.

Impressive improvements in the health sector: World Bank Afghanistan

The World Bank yesterday 2 June 2017 announced the results of a review of progress achieved in the health sector in Afghanistan from 2002-2017. Conducted by World Bank experts and an independent group from the University of Toronto, the review found that many key health indicators had improved more rapidly in Afghanistan than in most other countries that had started at a similar level of development. The under-5 mortality rate dropped 60 percent from 137 per 1,000 live births in 2002 to 55 in 2016. Births attended by skilled health personnel increased to 58 percent from 14.3 percent over the same period. Announcing these results at a Presidential Summit on Health Care in Kabul, Dr. Timothy Evans, Senior Director for Health Nutrition and Population at the World Bank said, “The progress made in Afghanistan is impressive, especially given the serious security situation the country has faced over the last decade. Afghanistan has set a new benchmark against which to judge other countries a

The attack in Kabul calls for strong, immediate and extraordinary actions against corruption!

Foreign and local investors might leave Afghanistan if there are no concrete actions against corrupt government officials forming the Fifth Column of group of terrorists and hungry-criminals, smugglers and garbage of some foreign intelligence agencies. "The war in Afghanistan is not a civil war. It's a drug war, it's a terrorist war and it's also a state to state undeclared war." - President Ashraf Ghani on Twitter

UN condemns attack in Kabul, underscores need to protect civilians

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said those behind the attack must be held accountable and brought to justice. http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/un-condemns-attack-underscores-need-protect-civilians Condemning the attack in Kabul on Wednesday, United Nations officials, including the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Afghanistan as well as members of the Security Council underscored that all parties to the conflict are obliged, under international law, to ensure that civilians are protected from any harm. “Indiscriminate attacks against civilians are grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and can never be justified,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “Those responsible for today’s attack must be brought to justice,” he added, underlining the need to reinforce the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The UN chief also expressed his sympathies to the families of the victims, wished a speedy rec