5th Annual US- Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference 2009 was held in Washington D.C.

The Afghan- American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) in collaboration with
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) held its fifth annual
 Business Matchmaking Conference in Washington DC from October 18 through
 October 20. The Conference was held in Ronald Reagan Building and International
Trade Center and new “W” Hotel, in the heart of Washington, DC’s government district, in view of the White House, home of the President of the United States.

All agreed that this Conference was the most successful in the history of AACC Matchmaking Events which date back to 2005.

The largest attendance in the history of the Conference, with more than 350 persons participating, was a reflection of a team effort by all concerned”, stated AACC Chairman Ajmal Ghani who served as Master of Ceremonies for the Conference.

Indeed, this year’s conference had more than 60 Afghan businesses and their leaders coming from Afghanistan, a record turnout attributed by all to excellent cooperation between the Embassy Consulate.

ACCI Vice-Chairman Khanjan Alokozai extended Conference-opening greetings on behalf of ACCI members. CEO Mohammad Qurban Haqjo moderated a panel on Experience of Foreign Investors in Afghanistan. Many others in the ACCI delegation participated effectively in post-Panel Question &Answer and industry sector-specific wrap-up discussions sessions.

Conference Focus: “Tapping into business opportunities in Afghanistan”

In order to set the tone for practical Matchmaking, the conference addressed the most relevant opportunities and challenges faced by both Afghan and U.S. businesspeople. Topics ranged from practical experience with doing business in Afghanistan to experience of foreign investors to sources of private and public capital for investment in the private sector.

Two highlights of the first day’s topics, particularly for the Americans unfamiliar with Afghanistan, was a general review of Afghanistan’s economy and business conditions.  Mr. Noorullah Delawari, Founding President and CEO of the Afghan Investment Support Agency (AISA) and H.E. Said Tayeb Jawad, Ambassador to the United States, described the current general business conditions and the ’realities on the ground’ in the country.

It is extremely important for the Americans to learn that business is conducted throughout the country on a daily basis unimpeded by violence, that the conflict is mainly in the more remote regions and that Afghanistan is not what just what people see on TV in the U.S. That’s what the AISA chief and the Ambassador were able to convey.

AACC, ACCI and colleagues were honored when Major General Jeffrey Dorko, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ military arm worldwide delivered opening remarks to the Construction panel which was moderated by AACC Board member, Atiq Panjshiri. No doubt there was tremendous interest on all sides in construction opportunities.

What became evident to the Americans was that Afghanistan needs everything and that all areas of the economy offer plenty of opportunity for engagement and profit.

U.S. – Afghan business MOUs signed: As a result of energetic discussions between parties, during the course of the Conference, and with the leadership of AACC Board member, Bill Joern, some twenty Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to pursue business opportunities, relationships, potential partnerships, joint ventures and possible sales were developed and signed by U.S. and Afghan business representatives. AACC and ACCI colleagues will be facilitating follow-up between the signatory parties. 

Six-Chamber Cooperation MOU signed: As a culmination to the Conference, a comprehensive MOU was signed by respective organization Chairmen or their representatives linking six Afghanistan-business oriented Chambers:ACCI, AACC, ABC-Dubai, the Afghan Canadian, the Netherlands and the Netherlands Dubai organizations. The goal of the MOU is international, inter-Chamber collaboration on business opportunities and challenges.

Honors Awarded at Conference Banquet

Added highlights to the business opportunity-oriented Panel and Roundtable discussions were enjoyed by attendees at the Conference Banquet, held this year at the new and elegant “W” Hotel.