General Information

Around 1921 a small member of Afghan merchants got together and formed and arbitration group to help settle commercial disagreement and prevent the claims to fall trap in prolonged and tedious courts procedures. Soon after they got more strength and formed the first little Chamber of Commerce in the country. They appointed a secretary who prepared the agenda for meetings. And letter on this one person office became the secretariat. Slowly they got more members and strength and got authorized to issue trade permits for traders, brokers and currency dealers. They also issued certificate for Karakul skin, medical plants and cheep intestines.

 After this stage the Chamber as self motivated little organization formed by private merchants and belonged to private sector. Gradually foreign trade expanded and Chamber managed a sizable income.

In 1938 the first President of Chamber got appointed by the Prim Minster and this was a turning point in the history of the Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan, losing private sector affiliation and evolves as a government organization.

In 1987, Chamber of Commerce Law of Democratic republic of Afghanistan was enforced and with a new legal structure, content and target, open a new era in front of Chamber of Commerce.

Now the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is 75 years old, located in Kabul, rules the provincial Chambers, Union of private Industries and the Union of Exporters and Importers, lead trade and industries in the country and has 22 Provincial branches. Employs over 500 people in Kabul and in provinces, the hire and fire of employees is based on the government employment law and on that bases Chamber became a governmental organization. The President of Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries is appointed by the government while the Presidents of provincial branches are elected by members of each locality

The law which still is effective, was drafted and enforced under a socialistic rule. Therefore the Chamber fall under the rule of central authority and pattern of activities along the organizational pyramid fallow from top to bottom direction. A long the central power line of authority, the President of Chamber is appointed by the Minster of Commerce and high council of Chamber also presided by him, the Minister of Commerce. Hire and fire of all Chamber employees are based on the government employment law. With these forces in action the Chamber shapes as governmental structure and amendable to political forces.

The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is made of following Sub- Organizations:

1.      the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of  Provinces,

2.      Union of private Industries,

3.      Union of importers,

4.      Union of exporters.

At the top echelon of ACCI leadership the followings rules:

1.      High Council is the highest authority in Chamber structure and the Minister of Commerce presides on it.

2.      Board of executives composed of President (the President of ACCI) proposed by the Commerce Minister and approved by the President and two Deputies, from within or with out the members of high Council, proposed by High Council and approved by the Council of Minister for a term of three years.

3.      Board of Observers, composed of three members, selected by High Council for one year.

The duties and responsibilities of ACCI is outline by the law of 1987 and the important ones are as follow:

·       Continuous cooperation with the government authorities by expressing opinion and suggestions regarding related bylaws, rules and regulations.

·       Encourage national investors to establish new Industries and participate in private and in joint venture productive investments.

·       Express opinion and suggestion to promote exports and imports.

·       Guide the Unions of Exporters and Importers.

·       Participate in building industrial parks, modern were houses for save keeping export and import commodities.

·       Launch exhibition within the country and abroad and collect targeted information.

·       Protect and encourage the week retailer and small merchants with meager Capital.

·       Research new ways of support and encourage the expansion of foreign trade.

·       Launch seminars in Afghanistan and participate in simians and conferences abroad.

·       Utilize scholarship and fellowship to train employees for better and transparent job performance.

·       Govern the disagreement and conflicts arising from commercial and trade activities among physical or legal person as provide by the law.