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Second Afghanistan
International Marble Conference
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI),
in close coordination and support with the U.S Agency
for International Development (USAID), co-hosted the
second Afghanistan International Marble Conference in
Herat, Afghanistan, April 12-16, 2010.
The conference brought together more than 300
sector stakeholders to showcase the country’s
wealth of marble, address industry challenges and
learn new techniques and equipments in the sector.
On behalf of ACCI, Mr. Shir Khan Farnood Chairman
of Board of Directors welcomed the attendees and
encouraged investors to invest in Afghanistan and
utilize the existin business opportunities.
Further, H.E Wahidullah Shahrani; Minster of
Mines, Honorable Ahmad Yosuf Noristani; Herat Governer,
U.S Deputy Secretary of State; Jacob Lew and U.S Ambassador;
Karl W. Eikenberry delivered remarks at the conference launch.
“Afghanistan has marble deposits valued more than
(USD) $150 billion,” H.E Minister Shahrani said.
“Our new mining law and reforms under way in the
mining sector’s regulatory framework are setting
the stage for an investor-friendly environment here
in Afghanistan.” Mr. Shahrani added that from now
onwards the processed marble for export would be free of 12% tax. |
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“The United States is proud to sponsor this effort to help
develop the marble and stone industry in Afghanistan,”
Ambassador Eikenberry said. “With adjustments to exploitation
and investment rights legislation that have enhanced the sector’s
business enabling environment, Afghanistan’s marble sector is poised
to take a competitive position as a premier supplier of quality marble
to international and domestic markets.”
“We welcome the domestic and foreign investors in
Herat and will provide them security to invest in
manufacturing and processing fields especially in
marble mines extracting and processing,” Ahmad Yosuf
Noristani said on his remark.
Current marble exports are estimated at $15 million per year.
With improved extraction, processing, infrastructure, and investments,
the industry could grow into a $450 million per year business.
Deputy Secretary Lew presented the marble sector’s first Superior
Achievement Award to Equity Capital Mining, in recognition of their
achievement in modernizing their Chesht white marble quarry.
This quarry is the first in the country to utilize the wire
and saw extraction technique, and the company is committed to
use this quarry as a training facility for other operators and
processing companies.
M.Qurban Haqjo CEO of ACCI stated, “ACCI is working to establish new
frameworks for enabling Afghan business and industry to become
more productive, profitable and competitive. |
As Afghanistan leading national business organization, ACCI
has responsibility to promote the interest of its member
companies and industrial
organization members. ACCI plays a crucial role in
developing the national economy and has identified the
marble sector as being of strategic importance.” Afghanistan
has significant mineral deposits and an underdeveloped
mining industry. The mining sector offers considerable
medium and long term opportunities. In addition
to deposits of coal, copper, gold, iron, lead, silver,
beryllium, chrome, manganese, nickel and uranium, the
country has many precious and semi precious
stones including emerald, jade, lapis lazuli, ruby,
sapphire, alabaster, quartz and tourmaline. Several factors
make investment in mining sector attractive. One
of the main requirements for the mining sector is
investment in heavy machinery to turn raw materials into
finished products ready for use.
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