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The Afghan Ministry of Commerce said that technical committees from the five nations involved in the Lapis Lazuli Route will meet soon to discuss challenges faced by each country in terms of rolling out the project

The Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) of Afghanistan said that technical committees from the five nations involved in the Lapis Lazuli route will meet soon to discuss challenges faced by each country in terms of rolling out the project. The Lapis Lazuli Route agreement was signed in October last year between Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia and once implemented will become a key international trade and transport corridor that will directly connect Afghanistan to Europe. Since the signing of the agreement, each country has now formed its technical task team. These task teams will come together soon to discuss the challenges each country is facing, the MoCI said. “The technical committees can work on these issues (technical issues) to implement this agreement and connect Afghanistan to Europe in the closest way,” a spokesman of the ministry said. Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) meanwhile said the Lapis Lazuli Route will connect A

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan 13 km rail link upgraded

A ceremony to mark the completion of work to upgrade the 13 km rail link between Serhetabat in southern Turkmenistan and Towraghondi in northern Afghanistan took place on February 23, 2018.  This formed part of a pair of ceremonies which were held in Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to mark the completion of the Turkmen section of the Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas pipeline and the groundbreaking for the Afghan section. Electric power and opticfibre links are also being installed on the TAPI route. Guests at the events included the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and India’s Minister for External Affairs. The railway to the Towraghondi freight terminal on the Afghan side of the border was originally built by the USSR. Following discussions at the seventh Regional Economic Co-operation Conference on Afghanistan in Ashgabat last November, Turkmenistan agreed to fund and undertake the upgrade as a donation to Afghanistan. The wor

AFGHANISTAN - BIDDING OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSULTING FIRMS FROM ADB MEMBER COUNTRIES

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI): CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION OF THE QAISAR - DARI-E-BUM ROAD PROJECT (151 KM) Interested firms can find the information about thIs REOI on the website of the Afghanistan National Procurement Authority (NPA) at http://www.npa.gov.af/en/bidding-opportunities

Pakistan-Afghanistan trade has decreased from 2.7 billion dollars to 1.2 billion dollars in less than two years

Pakistan-Afghanistan trade has decreased from 2.7 billion dollars to 1.2 billion dollars in less than two years, sparking concerns among businessmen from the two countries. Pakistani and Afghan traders voiced concerns at the sharp fall in bilateral trade due to political tensions between the neighbors and impediments to the implementation of transit trade agreements. The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) organized the “Cross-Border Round table” in collaboration with Pakistani Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and a UK-based organization called Safeworld. At a joint press conference with Afghan traders at the end of talks in Islamabad, PAJCCI Chairman Muhammad Zubair Motiwala called on both governments to separate trade from politics. In a unanimous resolution released at the conclusion of talks, the traders said: “We want governments on both sides to segregate business ties from political and security tensions and suggest bilateral an

Iran exports 190,000 kilowatts /hour of electricity to Afghanistan

Iran’s Director for Taibud Electric Office said that 190,000 kilowatts /hour of electricity is exported to Afghanistan daily. He said that since the beginning of the current Iranian year more than 48,000 megawatts of electricity had been exported to Afghanistan through Dogharoun distribution post, it said. This amount is supplying needed electricity by Afghanistan villages close to Dogharoun border, including 13,000 households.
Today in a street of #Kabul #Afghanistan #InvestInAFG #ForeignCurrency #ExchangeRates #EUR #USD #Afghanis Monday, February 26, 2018 http:// IVOTONIUT.COM  

The APMG PPP Certification Program: Q&A with Abdul Nafi Sarwari

The APMG PPP Certification Program enables participants to take their skills to the next level, and the Certified PPP Professional (CP3P) credential is a means to officially convey that expertise and ability. At the core of the program is the PPP Guide, a comprehensive Body of Knowledge that distills globally agreed-upon definitions, concepts, and best practices on PPPs. The program is an innovation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), and the World Bank Group (WBG), with financial support from the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF). Whether you’re thinking about signing up, or already enrolled, in this series we share some insight from practitioners who have already passed the test. This week, we caught up with Abdul Nafi Sarwari, a Senior Financial & Economic Specialist for PPPs

SI SCONSIGLIANO VIAGGI A QUALSIASI TITOLO IN AFGHANISTAN

In considerazione della gravità della situazione di sicurezza e dell’elevato rischio di sequestri ed attentati a danno di stranieri in tutto il territorio nazionale, si sconsigliano viaggi a qualsiasi titolo in Afghanistan. Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale

Afghanistan - Work on TAPI gas pipeline project kicked off in Herat

Афганистан - В западной провинции Герат состоится церемония начала строительства афганского участка газопровода ТАПИ

В западной провинции Герат состоится церемония начала строительства афганского участка транснационального газопровода ТАПИ (Туркменистан–Афганистан–Пакистан–Индия). Мероприятие, знаменующее открытие новой стадии осуществления регионального проекта, запланировано на пятницу. В рамках подготовки к церемонии в городе Герат были повышены меры безопасности, также проходят работы по ремонту дорог и украшению парков в честь торжественного события. Ожидается, что церемонию открытия представительства посетят делегации каждой из четырёх стран-участниц проекта. Жители провинции Герат приветствуют подготовку к строительству газопровода, выражая надежду на то, что масштабный проект поспособствует созданию большого числа новых рабочих мест.

Afghanistan launches visa on arrival unit at Kabul international airport

Afghanistan’s government on Monday 19 February officially launched a new visa processing unit at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in a move to attract more foreign investment.  The new visa center will enable businessmen to apply for visas on arrival at the airport, according to the Afghan ministry of commerce and industries. The first foreigner to use the service was an American businessman who arrived in Kabul on Monday. According to him, he is in the country in the hope of investing in the aviation sector. “This is a big step for Afghanistan. This is what I have seen in other countries in the region. This is a positive move,” said Bret Dalton. With the launch of this visa processing unit, foreign investors will no longer have to find an Afghan embassy to process documents – as the staff at the unit will send their documents to the foreign affairs ministry. These investors will then be able to get visas, valid for up to three years, on arrival. “The visa processing unit for

New Delhi and Tehran to expand cooperation

India and Iran on Saturday 17 February signed a USD 85 million agreement for the development of Chabahar seaport in south-eastern Iran. According to the agreement, India will invest the money to build the capacity of Chabahar port. The lease agreement which gives operational control to India of Shahid Beheshti port (phase one of the Chabahar port) was signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in New Delhi. In a joint press conference after signing the agreements, Indian Prime Minister said that the two countries want to expand bilateral ties and cooperation in economic development. “We will support the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link so that Chabahar gateway’s potential could be fully utilized,” Indian Prime Minister said. “We want to expand connectivity, cooperation in the energy sector and the centuries-old bilateral relationship.”

Due to the lack of employment opportunities, most of the Afghan youth willing to migrate to other countries

In a report published at the beginning of February, the World Bank said that due to the lack of employment opportunities in Afghanistan, most of the Afghan youth will be willing to migrate to the other countries. Based on this report, due to the worst economic situation in Afghanistan in 2015, 2.25 million Afghans were registered as economic migrants in other countries. The report adds that 400 thousand people are added to the Afghan work force annually, something that will increase the number of Afghan economic migrants in the other countries. In addition, about one month ago, the Afghan Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Faizullah Zaki had also expressed concern saying if the Afghan government and the private sector did not work together to reduce the unemployment rate, Afghanistan will have 4 million unemployed population after five years. The waste migration of Afghans to other countries in the past several decades is an issue that, besides war and insecurity, is linked with un

Taliban writes an Open Letter addressed to American people

Elezioni politiche del 4 marzo 2018: tutte le informazioni per i cittadini italiani residenti in Afghanistan (AIRE)

Il Presidente della Repubblica ha provveduto il 28 dicembre 2017 a sciogliere le Camere e a indire le elezioni politiche per il 4 marzo 2018. Si ricorda che il voto è un diritto tutelato dalla Costituzione Italiana e che, in base alla Legge 27 dicembre 2001, n.459, i cittadini italiani residenti all’estero, iscritti nelle liste elettorali della circoscrizione estero, possono votare per posta. A seguire si riassumono le informazioni per i cittadini italiani che intendono partecipare al voto dall’Afghanistan. http://www.ambkabul.esteri.it/ambasciata_kabul/it/ambasciata/news/dall_ambasciata/2017/12/voto-dei-cittadini-italiani-residenti.html I cittadini italiani residenti in Afghanistan ed iscritti nelle liste elettorali della circoscrizione estero (AIRE) riceveranno regolarmente il plico elettorale via corriere. A tal fine, si raccomanda quindi di controllare e regolarizzare la propria situazione anagrafica e di indirizzo presso il Consolato. E’ possibile in alternativa scegliere di vo
Today in a street of #Kabul #Afghanistan #InvestInAFG #ForeignCurrency #ExchangeRates #EUR #USD #Afghanis Thursday, February 15, 2018 http:// IVOTONIUT.COM  

Technical and economic studies continue in line with the establishment of the 'Five Nations Railway Corridor' to run through Afghanistan

Officials from the Afghanistan National Railway Authority (ANRA) said that studies for the establishment of the multinational railway project are 50% complete. According to ANRA, about 900 kilometers of railway line will be built in Afghanistan and will connect Afghanistan’s northern regions to the west. Five nations including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran and China are participating in the project. The Economic Advisor for the Iranian embassy to Afghanistan said his country strongly supports the establishment of the project between the 5 countries which will also cover Iran’s Chabahar and Bandar-e-Abbas ports. “We fully support this project, work has already been started on it, we hope that all countries in the region come forward for this project,” said the Iranian diplomat. Based on the agreement signed between the five countries in this respect, every member country has to establish a total of 2,100 kilometers of railway line within the next five years. “This project

India better market for the fruit of Afghanistan

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said the air corridor between Afghanistan and India has benefited Afghan investors and farmers in terms of selling their products for higher prices. “Now we sell one kilogram of grapes for 200 or 250 Indian Rupees while we sold it for 80 Pakistani Rupees in Pakistan. If we send this fruit to Europe, we will sell one kilogram of it for at least 10 euros,” the ACCI deputy head Khan Jan Alokozay said at a transit expo in Kabul last Friday. It was first transit expo organized by private companies in the country. Deputy Minister of Transportation Fawzia Matin said the ministry will hold a joint meeting in the near future to provide further facilities for Afghan investors. “We are trying to resolve all the problems that we have in TIR – Transit International Route,” said Matin.   At the same event, Iranian officials stressed the need for strengthening trade relations between Iran and Afghanistan. “Iran sees the establishment of rai

Afghanistan is a very fertile country which produces about 1.5 million tons of fresh fruit every year

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) of The Islamic Republic of Aghanistan said that because of its favorable weather conditions, Afghanistan is a fertile country which produces about 1.5 million tons of fresh fruit a year. MAIL spokesman Akbar Rustami said from this amount, only 500,000 tons is being exported and the rest is sold on the domestic market. Rustami said the ministry is trying to build standard cold storage facilities so as to extend the lifespan of the country’s fruit. “In order to promote our country’s economy, prevent the fruit from rotting and to address people’s needs in winter, more cold rooms should be established and MAIL is seriously working to establish new cold rooms,” said Rustami. Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) officials meanwhile said in the first nine months of this solar year, 218,000 tons of fresh fruits were exported to foreign countries, but a large amount of produce spoils every year due to the lack of standar
The first issue of BusinessDNA , an executive business magazine  produced and written 📝  in Kabul about  # business  in  # Afghanistan .  🇦🇫 ️

The Ministry of Agriculture of Afghanistan to build 12 large cold storage facilities across the country

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has said it is planning to establish 12 large cold storage facilities across ten provinces for fresh fruits. Each cold storage facility will hold up to 500 tons. MAIL spokesman Akbar Rustami said the new cold rooms will be established in line with international standards so as to keep agricultural products fresh. According to Rustami, these cold storage facilities will cost in total $36 million USD. “The announcement phase of these 12 cold rooms has been finished and I can say that practical work will start in 1397 fiscal year,” said Rustami. Rustami also said construction of another eight cold storage facilities that was put on hold last year due to contractor problems, will be resumed this year. “Based on MAIL’s plan, the design of these eight cold rooms has been completed and the practical work will start soon. These cold rooms will cost 28 million US dollars which will be paid by th

Afghanistan-Indonesia to open air corridor

Afghan Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) said Afghanistan and Indonesia have talked about opening an air corridor between the two countries. Officials said committees have been formed to take further steps in this regard. MoCI spokesman Musafir Quqandi said with the establishment of the air corridor, Afghanistan’s exports will increase significantly. “We have spoken in general in this regard and there are committees that are working on which countries are the best for exporting our products,” said Quqandi. Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) meanwhile said Indonesia is a good market for Afghanistan products and by the establishment of the air corridor, Afghan traders will export dried and fresh fruits, carpets and medicinal herbs to Indonesia. “Air cargo is important, especially in the time that our neighbors do not let us to use their territory to reach the ocean. If we transfer goods by air, it will be more efficient and cheaper,” ACCI spokesman Seyam Pes

Ostrich farm opened in Herat, Afghanistan

The US military is heavily relying on the poppy cultivation and natural resources of Afghanistan to finance their ongoing wars in the country and around the world

I FOUND THIS ON FACEBOOK, I BELIEVE IT IS VERY INTERESTING AND I SHARE WITH THE VISITORS OF IVOTONIUT.BLOGSPOT.COM: Recently President Donald Trump declared that Washington will not negotiate with Taliban. His announcement came after Taliban announced that they will only negotiate with the US in Afghanistan – due to Afghan government's no decision making authority. This development comes at a time where BBC declared that 70% of Afghan districts are either under Taliban control or their threat. Their findings come as a result of their survey across the country. In addition, SIGAR – the US Senior Inspector for the Afghan Reconstruction – reported this week that they are directed by Pentagon to classify the information about the percentage of Government controlled territory in Afghanistan. Given this situation it is quite clear that the actual decision making in the Afghan war has no intention of peace in the country and is using its geo-political location to challenge any Russian
Today in a street of #Kabul #Afghanistan #InvestInAFG # ForeignCurrency #ExchangeRates #EUR #USD #Afghanis Tuesday, February 6, 2018 http:// IVOTONIUT.COM  

Afghanistan: The problem of nonstandard drugs has not been tackled yet

The problem of nonstandard drugs and health services has not been tackled yet despite repeated promises by the government. Kabul residents say the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has failed to close substandard health centers even in the capital. Hashmatullah, a resident of Kabul’s 5th Police District, says “there is a health clinic in every street of the district”, but there is no proper oversight of those clinics, and none of them are reliable. He claims that drugstores have their own suppliers and own medicine, and there is no standard medication in the market, and everyone sells the drugs without prescription. The low quality medicine not only doesn’t treat diseases, but sometimes also can be dangerous and kill the sick. A doctor from Jamhuriat Hospital told The Heart of Asia they often receive patients suffering from health complications caused by low quality or wrong medicine. “We often receive patients who have been given wrong medication by doctors or pharmacists, or taken lo

FOUR WAYS MEN CAN CONTRIBUTE TO ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN

Violence against women is one of most prevalent forms of human rights violations in Afghanistan. It is also a major obstacle to progress and development in the country. Afghanistan ranks 169th out of 188 in the Gender Inequality Index created by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).  This is an indication of an unacceptable level of gender inequality, which contributes to violence. There are many factors to gender inequality and violence against women, including patriarchal traditions, an inept justice system, lack of prosecution of perpetrators of violence, and discriminatory gender roles. Men have an important responsibility in preventing and eradicating violence against women in Afghanistan. Here are four ways we can contribute. Acknowledge violence against women as a problem in the country. First of all, Afghan men must unequivocally accept that violence against women is part of the reality of our country, gender inequality is widespread, and it is harming our soc

Afghan trade through Iranian Chabahar sea port is on the rise

The development of trade through Chabahar port, along with the expansion of trade with India and Iran, will pave the way for the increase in India's investment in Afghanistan's mining and infrastructure projects.  The ministry of commerce and industry says the new Chabahar transit and trade agreement has been approved by the Iranian parliament and that the capacity of loading and offloading has improved at the port. The Ministry officials say that although more work is still needed to be done on the port, Afghanistan, India and other countries in the region can now use the port for commercial purposes. The ministry officials say India and Iran are investing heavily in developing the port and efforts are on to increase Afghan investment. “Investment from India, China, and Iran are increasing in Chabahar port, and we are trying to get Afghanistan to also invest in the port,” the head of the transit department of the ministry, Mohammad Yahya Akhlaqi, said. Chabahar port is 871.9

The Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan announces amnesty for taxpayers

In a press conference few days ago, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, the CEO of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the Vice President of the Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and the President of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines announced that: In accordance with the newly-approved Budget for the fiscal year of 1397 (2018), taxpayers who have not cleared their taxes and penalties for the fiscal years of 1381 through 1396 (2002 – 2017), may pay the original tax along with 5% of the total penalties for these years, and will be excused from payment of the remaining 95% of the tax penalties.  This decision will be effective for the next nine (9) months, and will not be extended. The decision is part of the Afghan Government's campaign to improve the business climate and attract foreign investment.
Today in a street of #Kabul #Afghanistan #InvestInAFG #ForeignCurrency #ExchangeRates #EUR #USD #Afghanis Thursday, February 1, 2018 http:// ivotoniut.blogspot.com