The chamber movement has come a long way since its creation in 1931. It has gone through many political, economic and societal changes and weathered many storms. It has evolved from state direction and intervention and had often been regarded as an extended arm of Government. Following the work of a Reform Commission a new chamber law was promulgated at the end of 2009 and voluntary membership was introduced. The chamber law serves two main purposes: that of protecting the establishment of the unitary chamber (ACCI), and enabling the chamber to perform tasks in the shaping of the regulatory environment. This approach allows for close co-operation between the state and business representative organizations. At the same time it builds on principles that aim at the creation of a self-regulated business sector throughout the country, which take the ethnic, political, societal and economic realities into account.
Today, the state encourages and protects private capital investments and enterprises based on market economy principles and the establishment of a strong enabling environment for a competitive private sector. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) acknowledges the importance of private sector development and the role the ACCI has to play. It encourages formalization of business activities, which gives firms a greater voice to provide feedback and lobby Government for changes in commercial laws and regulations Government therefore, is committed to strengthening the chamber of commerce and its affiliated business organizations that are able to support their members’ interests.
ACCI, as an umbrella organization for over 37,000 members and 25 business associations represents Afghan business in sectoral issues and across sectors. It provides leadership and services towards the enhancement of an enabling private sector environment in which local and international businesses can prosper in the interest of employment and local wealth creation. The ACCI values the diversity of its membership––ranging from large corporations to small businesses. It recognizes the need to balance the interests of these groups in both urban and rural settings of the country, which often compete with one another. However, the strength of unity across the Afghan business community makes this balance possible and highly desirable. The ACCI will counter biases that arise in an organization that is spread across the country. It will build regional participation and strengthen the engagement of all its members.
Afghanistan has a multi-faceted society, which, appropriately harnessed, translates into wealth and prosperity for its citizens and investors. Emerging from decades of unrest existing and new institutions play a pivotal role in the creation of peace and stability. The ACCI, with its broad-based and representative membership, has a perfect democratic orientation. It transcends particularistic intents and bridges societal rifts. At the same time it serves both individual business interests and socio-economic development agendas.
The chamber is organized countrywide with a head-office in the capital and 21 branches in the provinces. Thus, the ACCI head-office strategically follows a ‘whole of chamber’ approach in which members join their respective provincial chamber or business association. Their interest is both local and national and they expect benefits from both local and national organization.
In pursuing its objectives over the next five years, ACCI recognizes it must squarely address a number of significant challenges, which relate to functional relationships between the head office and provincial chambers, capacity development in provincial chambers to serve the broad membership and positioning ACCI head office as the apex organization of the private sector. In doing this, it will win the confidence, support and participation of businesses in all sectors of the economy and represent and serve their interests in a reliable and sustainable manner in accordance with clearly defined membership categories. ACCI aims at achieving results of influence in shaping the enabling environment for doing business in Afghanistan and across its borders and to nurture public and private strategic partnerships in the interest of economic growth and employment creation.
To enhance organizational, managerial, technical and financial capacities and sustainability the chamber system will have clear roles and functions reflected in its structures and operations at national, regional and provincial levels. The chamber recognizes that cooperation with Government at all levels is essential and that a robust public-private partnership will ensure economic emancipation and enterprise growth. ACCI will strive to be constructive in its criticism and avoid open confrontation. The chamber appreciates that it is not alone in the shaping of a conducive economic and business environment and in the support of the business community.
There are other important private and public players who share this responsibility with the chamber. ACCI does not regard them as competitors but rather as allies and will therefore improve its working relationships with these organizations, specifically from the public sector, with other private sector organizations and development partners. It will strive to clearly demarcate roles and functions in cooperation in the fields of investment promotion, export, quality assurance and others.
In conclusion, the chamber movement in Afghanistan has finally arrived. It has realized its enduring purpose for existence and is working hard to enhance its capacity at national and provincial levels, to be able to say with confidence:
“We are here to represent and serve you in the interest of a vibrant and competitive business community in Afghanistan and abroad.”
Sincerely