Embassy Hosts “Afghanistan: Open
for Business”
Embassy of Afghanistan
05/26/2004
Washington, D.C. -- Ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad and Commercial
and Trade Counselor Mariam Nawabi hosted a private sector reception
at the Embassy of Afghanistan on May 25, 2004, entitled “Afghanistan:
Open for Business.” The reception’s purpose was
three fold: 1) to allow business leaders to learn more about
the direct investment and trade opportunities available in Afghanistan;
2) to create a forum where individuals from the private sector
can meet, network, and discuss ideas about doing business in
Afghanistan; 3) to facilitate discussion and interest in starting
a “US-Afghanistan Business Council” within the US
Chamber of Commerce.
Attendees included individuals from more than
50 international private sector firms and organizations ready
to facilitate business such as lobbying groups, law firms, accounting
firms and consulting companies. Embassy guests included representatives
from the telecommunications, construction, agriculture, manufacturing,
energy and mining industries. Officials from the U.S. Department
of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Overseas Private Investment
Corporation and United States Agency for International Development
also attended, exchanging ideas and contact information with
potential investors for further collaboration.
In his remarks, Ambassador Jawad highlighted achievements
that have been made by the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan
in the area of investment and trade. The Ambassador noted that
Afghanistan’s economy experienced a growth of 20% last
year and encouraged participants to consider Afghanistan as
a highly profitable emerging market. He noted, “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.”
Mariam Nawabi gave a presentation on the business
environment in Afghanistan and outlined the seminal role the
private sector can play as an investor to help Afghanistan move
from dependency to economic self-sustainability. Dr. Herbert
Davis of the US Chamber of Commerce spoke about his organization’s
interest in supporting U.S. business involvement in Afghanistan
and Nitin Madhav from USAID discussed ways that the private
sector can do business through USAID in Afghanistan.
The Embassy of Afghanistan plans on organizing
future events to promote trade and investment between the United
States and Afghanistan and welcomes private sector participation
in the reconstruction process. Individuals who have interest
in a “US-Afghanistan Business Council” should contact
Tariq Hanif at (202) 483-6410 x 813 or [email protected].
Contact:
M. Ashraf Haidari
(202) 483-6410, (Ex-811)
[email protected]
# # #
