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East
Region Economic Growth and Investment Promotion
Conference
A
two-day national conference, aimed at identifying the obstacles
and hurdles faced by eastern region business community and
further exploring
potential economic opportunities and
encouraging domestic and foreign Investments, was held at
Nangarhar governor's palace in Jalalabad.
The conference
had been jointly organized by H.E Sherzai, Governor
Nangarhar Province and Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and
Industries, private sector members from different provinces and
ministries delegates with active participation of
representatives from Da Afghanistan Bank, World bank, United
States Agency for International Development (USAID), The UK
Department for International Development, Harakat (AICF) and
parliament members on 28 – 29 March, 2010.
Mr. Sherzai speaking to the press added, “The main objective
behind holding such type of conferences at the eastern region of
the country is overseeing and supervising the economic
activities and identifying the investment needs in eastern
region provinces including Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar and
Nuristan. He appreciated the initiative taken by
ACCI to organize events of such kind in the east after the
collapse of The Taliban regime in 2001.
Later the first Deputy Speaker of The Upper House
Mirwais Yasini stated that the Government had been working hard in
order to encourage the economy and boost the volume of economic
growth and development in the region.
Minister Ismail Khan promised that The Ministry of Water and
Energy would build the Nangarhar dam which would be having the
capacity of irrigating 35,000 acres of Agricultural land for
which he sought the assistance of Ministry of Finance in
supplying electricity to Nangarhar and
Nuristan
provinces.
Relevantly, Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, Minister of Finance, revealed
the construction of a railroad route funded by the World bank
connecting the Torkham
border with Jalalabad Provinve, within two years.
During the course of conference Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, CEO,
Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries addressing the
cabinet ministers, supporting agencies and eastern region
business community said, “It is indeed a matter of pleasure that
the eastern region of the country is one of the leading regions
of the country in facilitating investment opportunities and
economic activities development as compared to other provinces.
Security and suitable environment for Agricultural cultivation
in the region has further facilitated economic growth in the
region, therefore, the Government has to pay its due attention
in overcoming the existing obstacles and challenges to
investments.
He further added: it is expected that the amendments given by
government agencies in the conference be implemented in near
future and the investment doors get open to international
investors and entrepreneurs.
Taking the opportunity, Ghulam Mohammad Yeelaqi, Acting Minister
of Commerce and Industries added that the ministry would be
extending much of its activities to eastern and informed about
establishment of One Stop Shop, a single window to streamline
the export documentation procedure.
Consequently, Khan Jan Alkozay, vice chairman, ACCI urged on
improvement of
the mining and the
trading sector and suggested a 10 years tax exemption policy and
incentives given to Afghan traders and entrepreneurs in order to
boost the volume of trade and investments in the country. |
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