Local and international investors, as well as representatives of several Afghan and foreign agencies participated in a two-day conference to discuss investment opportunities and challenges in Bamyan province.
The conference, organized by Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) , Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA), and supported by United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS) and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is the biggest investors’ conference in Bamyan in recent years.
A hundred investors, including 25 international investors from America, Britain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia and other countries, took part in the conference.
Mr. Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, the president and CEO of ACCI addressing the participants highlighted the major investment opportunities and the main challenges.
“The peaceful environment of Bamyan attracts the entrepreneurs to invest in this province,” said Mr. Haqjo “however they lose their interest getting to know that there is no necessary infrastructures for investment.”
Bamyan Governor Habiba Sohrabi assured investors that their concerns would be addressed and local officials would try their best to help them.
The director of information and culture blamed the central government for lukewarm cooperation with investors in Bamyan. "The government in Kabul has held out promises of constructing roads and industrial parks, but nothing has been done so far," Mohammad Ibrahim Akbari said.
Bamyan is famous for historical places and monuments, including Buddha statues, Band-i-Amir and ancient cities of Ghalghala, Dhahak, Nagin, Chhil Burj and others.
Bamyan's Tourism revenue, which stood at $400,000 (18.4 million afghanis) in 2010, has almost doubled this year. Last year, 41,000 Afghan and 600 foreign tourists visited the province.
