Private Sector Event: Welcoming Remarks
Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
Embassy of Afghanistan
05/25/2004
The eagerness of the international community and
the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to bring economic
stability to the country have laid the foundation for successful
business development. As many of you have already discovered,
there are many business and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
The country’s agricultural, infrastructure, services,
and natural resources sectors present many profitable business
opportunities and room for future growth.
The people of Afghanistan adopted principles of
a free market economy in the new constitution and the Government
has taken concrete steps to implement that vision. Thus, the
growth of the private sector is a high priority for the Government.
The private sector must be the driver of economic growth and
reform efforts are focusing on removing obstacles to private
sector development. In preparation for the donor conference
in Berlin, the Afghan government, in conjunction with international
organization, drafted “Securing Afghanistan’s Future,”
a comprehensive assessment of the needs in Afghanistan and key
policy issues. This document will serve as the guiding vision
for Afghanistan’s short-term and medium development goals
and an important goal is private sector development.
The initiation of new businesses is vital for
Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts and helping the country
become a model for democratic ideals and free market principals.
In just two short years, the Afghan government has taken concrete
steps to encourage private sector involvement in the reconstruction
effort. The Government has expressed its intent on being a policy
maker and manager, not an implementer, of projects. Instead,
the Government will create opportunities for the private sector
to implement many projects.
The importance of private sector development to
the stabilization of the country is immeasurable. As a result
of the great incentives private sector growth creates, constraints
to democratic development in Afghanistan, such as security concerns
and the narcotics trade can be eliminated. By creating jobs
and new business opportunities, it gives the citizens of Afghanistan
hope for their future and promotes regional stability.
Afghanistan is not only an emerging market, but
is a gateway to investment in Central Asia. With increasing
stability and increasing investments in roads, railways and
air routes, entrepreneurs can trade not only with Afghanistan,
but also with Central and South Asia. A major part of the reconstruction
plan has been connecting the nation to neighboring countries
to make it a key transit point in the region. Already, goods
are flowing from Central to South Asia, from India to Iran and
back. Thus, by investing in Afghanistan, you are not only accessing
a market of 25 million, but a market of 150 million just in
the areas immediately surrounding Afghanistan. Afghanistan is
becoming a trading hub for the region and with the further improvement
of transit, transportation, customs and other reforms, will
continue to become important in facilitating regional trade.
The country’s developmental challenges are
many, but they are not insurmountable. Security in some areas,
lack of clarity regarding administrative structure, and lack
of information are just some of the challenges that businesses
may face. However, for those who are patient, have a long-term
plan and vision and create and work with Afghans to create partnerships,
there are many opportunities for successful enterprises and
investments in Afghanistan.
Events like this evening’s reception show
that there is great interest in private sector involvement in
Afghanistan. The Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan is
committed to promoting and nurturing the growth of its business
community and appreciates the effort that the private sector
has made to pursue opportunities, develop businesses, work with
the Afghan private sector, and with the Government. I want to
personally thank each of you for being part of the vision for
a new Afghanistan.
At this time, I would like to recognize the effort
of a U.S. company -Domes International- who has recently donated
a unique dome structure to the Government of Afghanistan to
serve as the headquarters of the country’s new National
Standards Institute. The NSI will focus on creating and enforcing
international standards to help bring Afghan products up to
par with that of the global community, as well as to avoid the
dumping of substandard products in Afghanistan. Domes has not
only manufactured the facility to the Government’s specifications,
but provided shipping and installation. They have done this
to show their commitment to being involved in Afghanistan and
we wish them success in investing in Afghanistan. I would also
like to thank the Department of Commerce’s Afghanistan
Reconstruction and Investment Task Force and Sheffield Advisors
for helping to organize this event.
The Government of Afghanistan is grateful to the
international business community for helping the country open
the door to prolonged prosperity and we hope that this event
and future dialogue facilitated at the Embassy will keep that
door open.
Thank you.
