The Afghan-US economic and trade relations conference was held in Kabul.
Date: September 06, 2023
The conference (Afghanistan-US economic and trade relations 2023) was held in Kabul on September 06, 2023. The conference aimed to attract foreign investments, identify business opportunities for local investors, address challenges, link private sector to the public, attract government and international support toward private sector, strengthen the banking and financial sector and ultimately to support the private sector. In this conference, H.E Mr. Mullah Brothar, First Vice PM, the sectorial ministers, Head of the Afghan American chamber of commerce (AACC), representatives of international institutions, General Director Afghanistan Business Council- Dubai, CEOs of commercial banks, Executive Director Afghanistan Banks Association, businessmen, representatives of the business community, and press representatives attended.
At the outset, H.E. Mullah Brothar delivered a speech and pledged that they will support the private sector of the country/ foreign investment and will take measures in the area of existing challenges. Mr. Najibullah Amiri, on behalf of the banking sector, gave an inclusive speech in relation to the challenges and opportunities and the role of banks on empowerment of the country's economy, especially in the international transfers of billions of dollars through banks to improve people's livelihood and strengthen the economy. He further stated that banks provided banking services to more than 4 million government and non-government customers, especially provides salary payment service to over eight hundred thousand government employees throughout the county. He encouraged people to use banking facilities, especially Islamic banking products, for the growth of their business and income generation. Mr. Amiri added that the country's banking sector performance is improving; deposits of customers have increased compared to last year, which shows hike in customer confidence.
ABA proposals to strengthen the banking sector were also discussed in the meeting. Mr. Jeffery, Head Afghan- American Chamber of Commerce, appreciated activities and contribution of ABA in the last two years in strengthening banks in difficult situation and entitled it rule model for other associations. Subsequently, the representatives of the business community included industry, trade and investment sector presented their problems and suggestions. As a result, the government and the international community considered Afghanistan’s economic solution subject to prosperity of the private sector and self-sufficiency, and pledged that they would not spare any kind of effort and cooperation to achieve this goal.
