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In eastern Afghanistan poultry farm industry is growing despite problems

The establishment of around 2,500 poultry farms in eastern Nangarhar provinces has met domestic need and generated thousands of jobs for people. However, the farm owners complain the government is paying no attention to their business which faces some issues. They cite imported chicken and lack of eggs production among reasons affecting their business. A Pajhwok reporter visited a poultry farm in Saracha area of Behsud district where 2,000 chickens were being raised on each floor of the two-storey poultry farm. Many people worked in the farm. Haji Mohammad Ishaq Quraishi, who built the poultry farm on his two acres of land with the help of CARDEF, said he was happy with his business. He spent $50,000 on construction of the farm and CARDEF organization also helped him in the construction process and provided him ideas, he said. Quraishi said in the past he would grow crops on his land, which were not economical. He himself worked in the farm with 30 hired people. Ghulam Jan, a worker i

Afghanistan get qualified for U-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand

Afghanistan have qualified for U-19 Cricket World Cup due in New Zealand in 2018 after beating Nepal by 96 runs in final match of the qualifier.  It was Afghanistan’s 6th win from six matches they played in Division One of Asia qualifier, hosted in Singapore. Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan made 195 before they were bowled out in 47th over. Ibrahim Zadran shined with the bat hitting first century of the tournament for the team. In the chase of 196-run target, Nepal looked crawling as they made only 10 before they lost their first wicket in 5.2 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee’s 48 went in vain as Nepal were bowled out on 99 after 40.3 overs. Yousuf Zazai and Mujeeb Zadran took four and three wickets each respectively to defend their total. With the win, Afghanistan booked their place in the 12th edition of U-19 World Cup due to be held in New Zealand from 13 January to 3 February 2018.

Italy and Iran signed $1.3 billion rail deal

Iran’s state railway company and its Italian counterpart have signed a deal worth 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to build a high-speed rail line between Iranian cities of Arak and Qom. Renato Mazzoncini, CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), and head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Saeed Mohammadzadeh oversaw the signing of the agreement in Tehran a few days ago for the first stretch of a high-speed rail line which FS plans to build in Iran. The other link is to be built between Tehran and Hamadan, with the overall deal worth 5 billion euros which Ferrovie initially signed under a framework agreement when former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi visited Tehran with a delegation of business leaders last April. The Italian group has also been connected with the planning and construction of a high-speed rail corridor between Tehran, Qom and Isfahan, and electrification of the rail link between Tehran and Tabriz on the way to the Caucasus and Turkey. The deal signed a few days a

In Afghanistan does not exist a mechanism to help banks to detect members of criminal groups and drug dealers

Afghanistan has targeted a transformation period between 2015 to 2024 to achieve self-sufficiency. The economy is heavily dependent on development aid and economy of war. This is not sustainable and can shrink or collapse at any time. To avoid that, national and international entrepreneurs can play a constructive role in the economic development of this country and to do so it is needed to improve the banking system. A bank is normally a commercial profit earning institution which facilitates on the spot access to cash and loans for individuals and firms to encourage formal economy and growth. In addition, a bank is a financial-watchdog which prevents suspicious financial transactions and informs the financial inspectors to keep the economy safe. However, Afghanistan is an old country and it is difficult to teach new tricks in a short time. A new constitution signed on 2004 which modifies economic regime from a state controlled economy to an open market economy. Thereafter, national f
Today USD and EUR exchange rates in Darul Aman Road, Kabul, Afghanistan 

The UNITED NATIONS must immediately take necessary actions to seek a solution to the Afghan conflict

Civilian casualties are increasing year by year with the intensification and prolongation of war in the country. No party to the Afghan conflict pays appropriate attention to the lives of Afghan civilians. All warring sides are trying to exonerate themselves by laying the blame on the other side, a practice that prolongs the tragedy of civilian casualties. As usual, the new UN report on civilian casualties is shocking. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says as many as 1662 civilians were killed and 3,581 others wounded in the first half of 2017. These are only the figures recorded by UNAMA, while fighting is ongoing in areas, where registering civilian casualties is impossible; therefore, the figures may be far higher. Despite claims of protection of civilian lives by all sides involved in Afghan conflict, the level of Afghan civilian casualties has increased by two percent compared to the same period last year. The casualties of women and children in partic

Afghanistan produces more than 59 thousand tons of cotton annually, but there are no cotton processing factories in the country

The Afghan government has approached industrialists to present their plans and recommendations for way to revive the textile industry in Afghanistan. Afghanistan produces over 59,000 tons of cotton annually, but there are no cotton processing factories in the country. In the past, there were at least seven textile manufacturing factories– in Kabul, Parwan, Balkh, Kandahar and Baghlan provinces–which the country lost during the years of wars. The sector employed over 30,000 employees. Afghanistan has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Ministry of Textiles in January 2015 to expand business and cooperation in the field of textiles and clothing. As per MoU, both sides agreed to cooperate in developing closer economic relations and bilateral cooperation in the field of textiles, clothing, cotton, man-made fibre and hand-looms. India agreed to provide all necessary assistance to develop Afghan textile industry and assist in skill development, research and devel

Annual potato blossom festival in central Afghan province of Bamyan

Consulting Services for Feasibility Study of Daikondy Airport, Afghanistan Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI)

The REOI and ToR are available on the website of  the National Procurement Authority ( NPA) at   www.npa.gov.af

Bumper watermelon yield creates thousands of jobs in eastern Afghanistan

Bumper production of watermelon in the Batikot district of eastern Nangarhar province has created thousands of work opportunities, leaving a positive impact on the security situation. Despite the fact that the government has no writ in most of the areas where the watermelon crop has been cultivated, the positive impact of the production surge is visible in many localities -- from Jalalabad to Ghanikhel district. The Jalalabad-Torkham highway passes through Batikot district, where farmers and vendors have established watermelon stalls on both sides of the road, attracting a large number of passengers and drivers to buy the glucose-rich fruit. To the part of the district, known as Farms area, stability has partially returned. In the past, drivers and passengers felt unsafe going through this area. But now people stop here for eating and buying watermelon. Mohammad Esa, a resident of Ghanikhel who has set up a roadside stall, told Pajhwok Afghan News with the arrival of watermelon seaso

German President asked to use Afghanistan’s lithium in automotive industry

President Ashraf Ghani in a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Palace discussed Afghanistan’s security, peace and economy. The German president arrived in Kabul with a high ranking delegation on last Thursday, 13 July 2017. Pointing to the importance of Afghanistan’s mineral resources, Ghani suggested that German automobile companies should use the country’s lithium in their automotive industry, a press release issued by the Presidential Palace said. “Afghanistan’s mineral resources requires proper management. The quality of Helmand’s lithium is very high and it can be used in the automotive industry ,” Ghani said. In response to this, the German president said they will work on the use of Afghanistan’s lithium by Dutch companies. He said Germany will continue its support to different sectors in Afghanistan. Steinmeier said his country supports the Afghan peace talks process adding that he met with German troops in Balkh where they said the Afgh

AinoMena – a township in Kandahar – is considered a leading example of reconstruction and development in Afghanistan

Turkish company constructing road between Kabul and Kandahar

Get the benefits of IvoTONIUT's expertise of the Afghan market. ivotoniut.com

Afghanistan - Opportunity for consulting firms from ADB member countries

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) Construction #Supervision Qaisar-Laman Road Project Duration of assignment: 31 months The REOI and outline ToR are available on the website of the National Procurement Authority (NPA) at www.npa.gov.af

ADB looks at the investment gap in infrastructure in developing Asia

The developing region of Asia and the Pacific, seen by economists as having the greatest promise for the future, will need $22.6 trillion of investment in infrastructure through 2030 if they are to keep their economies growing, according to a new report. When including the cost of mitigating or adapting to climate change, the amount rises to $26 trillion, or $1.7 trillion a year, reads “Meeting Asia’s Infrastructure Needs”, a report by the Asian Development Bank. After examining the current state of infrastructure in the region - from bridges to ports, airports to roads and water to health services – the report identifies glaring investment gaps in sectors as well as countries that need to be breached in order to sustain the strong growth rates registered in recent years. The region, in which the report includes 45 countries ranging from Azerbaijan to China to Pakistan to Thailand to Papua New Guinea, has 400 million people who do not have electricity, 300 million without potable water

Afghanistan plans to build at least 20 more dams

The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) of Afghanistan said it is working hard to implement plans to build 20 more large and medium-sized dams in the country. According to them, at least 15 dams are currently under construction and 15 other dam projects are being worked on. Construction on these will be implemented once the National Procurement Authority (NPA) approves the project budgets. According to MoEW, they are also preparing to start working on the Kafkan, Tirpol and Pashdan dam projects in Herat, along the Harirod River. Once all these dams have been completed, water in the east and southern zones of the country will be managed. “We continue our efforts to build the dams based on our plans. We have done a lot in this field and a lot has remained to be done,” the MoEW spokesman said. Last year, the Salma Dam was completed in Herat – which was one of the government’s key dam projects. In addition to this, the second phase of Kajaki dam in Helmand, the last phase of Kamal Khan da

In the Afghan province of Samangan wheat production drops by 28%

The production of wheat in northern Samangan province has declined by 28 percent despite the fact that the crop was grown on a larger area this season, an official said. Najibullah Joya, acting agriculture director, told Pajhwok Afghan News a drought and lack of rain were the main reasons behind the fall in the wheat yield this year. He said the staple crop on thousands of acres of rain-fed land in Quflani, Kokah Blaq, Alsha, Dara Kalan, Kojar, Hazrat Sultan districts and other areas had gone dry due to drought. Last year 95,000 tons of wheat was collected from 115,000 hectares of rain-fed and irrigated lands. But this year, 68,000 tons have been yielded by 125,000 hectares of land. Figures show a nine percent increase in the area under cultivation and a 28 percent decline in the yield. Officials say 80,000 tons of wheat is required annually to meet the need of Samangan residents. The harvest process that started in Samangan in June is still underway in some areas. Mohammad Amin, a re

Afghanistan: Inside opium trade

Discussion on construction of Dams in Afghanistan

Afghan Ministry of Higher Education focuses on the role of universities in shaping the future of Afghanistan

The Afghan Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), in collaboration with the University Support and Workforce Program (USWDP) and USAID-Afghanistan, held a one-day University Chancellor’s Forum on July 11, 2017, to focus on the role of Afghan universities in shaping the future of Afghanistan. The participants discussed the role of institutions of higher learning as centers of knowledge and academic excellence, and as safe spaces that promote truth and human development. The forum included presentations and panel discussions on achievements, opportunities, best practices, and challenges facing institutions of higher learning here in Afghanistan. Chancellors and Vice Chancellors from 11 universities, including: Balkh University, Herat University, Jawzjan University, Kabul Medical University, Kabul Polytechnic University, Kabul University, Kandahar University, Kunduz University, Nangarhar University, Shaheed Rabbani Education University, and Sheikh Zayed University gathered with the Deputy

Афганистан: проект 'Лазуритовый коридор' будет подписан странами-участницами в ближайшем будущем

В ходе визита министра финансов Афганистана в Грузию была достигнута договорённость о скором подписании регионального торгово-транзитного соглашении «Лазуритовый коридор» между Афганистаном, Азербайджаном, Туркменистаном, Грузией и Турцией. "Проект очень важен для Афганистана и других стран-участниц, поскольку будет иметь значительное влияние на их экономику. Все документы уже подготовлены. Мы обсудили подписание соглашения в Грузии и ожидаем его в ближайшем будущем", заявил спикер министерства финансов Афганистана.

Kabul, Afghanistan: 106th National Procurement Commission (NPC) session

106th National Procurement Commission (NPC) session was held at Presidential Palace on Sunday evening, June  July 9th, 2017, presided by His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In this meeting 20 procurement contracts with the total value of 3.6 billion Afs were approved, which included the following projects: • The contract of design, construction and activation of 110 KW electricity transmission line from Salma dam to Karokh station, transmission line and distribution network of Pashtun-zarghoon, Ubeh, Karokh and Chesht Sharif districts, and procurement of electricity equipment for the afore mentioned districts. • The contract of design and activation of Noor Jahaad substation in Herat province. • Seven contracts of providing health services under BPHS and EPHS programs in Nooristan, Ghor, Konar, Zabul, Sari Pol and Kabul Provinces • The contract of procuring water distillation and hemodialysis machines required by Ministry of Public

Afghanistan: hope dies last | سخنرانی محترم یما یاری در نخستین نمایشگاه ساختمانی افغانستان

کنفرانس مطبوعاتی رئیس جمهور غنی پس از سفرش به قزاقستان، ترکمنستان و تاجک...

Россия рассчитывает принять участие в осуществлении энергетического проекта CASA-1000 в Афганистане

Недавно Афганистан получил от России запрос, в соответствии с которым Москва рассчитывает принять участие в осуществлении энергетического проекта CASA-1000, сообщил министр энергетики и водоснабжения Афганистана.   Заявление было сделано главой афганского энергетического ведомства в ходе выступления на полях Международной выставки EXPO-2017 в Астане. Министр сообщил, что официальное письмо поступило от замминистра энергетики РФ. В рамках осуществления проекта в регионе планируется запуск высоковольтной линии электропередач, позволяющей осуществлять экспорт электроэнергии из Таджикистана и Кыргызстана в Афганистане и Пакистане. В мае текущего года тендер на строительство афганского участка ЛЭП, протяжённость которого составляет около 550 километра, выиграла индийская компания.

A team of Afghan girls have made a robot that will compete in global robotics competition

Some Afghan political groups enjoy government resources both in positions of power and opposition

Being both in position and opposition at the same time remained an unfavorable, deep-rooted practice in Afghan politics.  Some political groups have been enjoying government resources both in positions of power and opposition since the collapse of the Taliban regime. In violation of all applicable laws, they use government resources for their personal and partisan interests.   As long as their individual and partisan interests are protected in working at the government, they act as supporters of the government; however, whenever their interests are threatened, they become a political opposition right away while also lacking the moral courage to quit government posts. All key figures of the new coalition formed in Turkey of three political parties are senior government officials. Instead of following orders of the central government as responsible government officials, they challenge government decisions under the ploy of reforms. Soon after its formation, the alliance has invited s

The Taliban to gain in strength, ISIS expanding throughout Afghanistan

Where is the United States’ war in Afghanistan going? Recently, the Trump administration gave Secretary of Defense James Mattis the authority to set troop levels there; so far, rumors suggest that 4,000 more American troops may soon be on their way to Afghanistan. However, this may not be enough; occupying and administering Afghanistan is a herculean task that few empires have ever had success with. The Taliban continue to gain in strength, while ISIS is expanding throughout the country. The Taliban, ISIS, various warlords, and the Afghan government all continue to fight each other. Writing in the Atlantic, Peter Beinart described the current U.S.-led war there as hopeless: the Taliban are unlikely to cut a deal because time is on their side, and they merely have to wait it out until the United States decides to leave. The United States has been involved in Afghanistan for almost 16 years, making it the longest conflict in its history (with the possible exception of Vietnam, dependi