Afghanistan should seek growth of goods export to world

The chief of executive officer, (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah said that after receiving votes of confidence by representatives the cabinet ministers have important responsibilities for a good governance.

While introducing the minister of commerce and industry, CEO noted that most of Afghanistan trade challenges would be solved if further facilities provide for merchants and artisans.

Abdullah Abdullah is said to consider Afghanistan geography essential and vital for trade in the region; adding the country would be self-suffeicent if more business fields generate.

In the meantime, the minister of commerce and industry said he will start basic reforms in his first days of his career in the ministry.

“People especially traders expect the ministry of commerce that their demands to be addressed.” Hamayoun Rasa, minister of commerce and industry said, “One of the main reasons of distance between people and government is the commitments that were not fulfilled. I try my best to provide better opportunities in ministry of commerce and industry.”

Zia Masood, President’s special representative in good governance also introduced Muhammadullah Batash to their employees.

Afghanistan’s economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth.

Meanwhile, the exhibition of Afghan-Turkey trade goods for the fifth time held in Kabul on Tuesday.

Omar Zakhailwal, economic advisor to president Ghani declared that Turkey’s role in Afghanistan economic is effective and Turkish companies have been invested more than $ 2 billion in Afghanistan.

“Relations between Afghan and Turkish investors should more strengthen that Afghan traders can work more effectively,” Zakhailwal said.

Officials in the ministry of commerce and industry also called on Turkish government to provide better conditions in Turkey for Afghan investors.

According to statistics, currently Afghanistan and Turkey relations reaches to $ 300 million each year.

At the other side, President Ashraf Ghani on his two-day visit in Tehran called Iran for mutual cooperation to overcome the challenges of the region.

Chairman of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture has attached great importance to President Ghani’s visit and looks forward to opening of new bilateral ties between Afghanistan and Iran.

He has said that trade relations of Iran with China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan through Afghanistan will strengthen the region’s economy.

Afghanistan’s negative trade balance has been a major concern for the nation. Currently, the imports are thirtyfold more than the export.

Officials in the Afghanistan chamber of commerce also announced about the readiness of Iran’s investments in Afghanistan.

This comes as Iran is one of the important donor countries of Afghanistan which has always cooperated with Afghanistan in road constructions, power transmission, infrastructure projects and issues related to border stations.

Afghanistan’s living standards are among the lowest in the world. The international community remains committed to Afghanistan’s development, pledging over $67 billion at nine donors’ conferences between 2003-10.

In July 2012, the donors at the Tokyo conference pledged an additional $16 billion in civilian aid through 2015. Despite this help, the Government of Afghanistan will need to overcome a number of challenges, including low revenue collection, anemic job creation, high levels of corruption, weak government capacity, and poor public infrastructure. Afghanistan’s growth rate slowed markedly in 2014.

The political crisis and the withdrawal of international security forces undermined confidence and the economy.

The outlook is for modest recovery helped by large inflows of development assistance and security grants. The new government has energetically sought to improve governance, shore up public finances, and enlist regional cooperation to improve security.