Russian-Afghan entrepreneurs meet in Moscow

Afghan Investment Support Agency, AISA, presented promising economic cooperation projects as a part of Russian-Afghan Business Council at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation on the 22nd of October. The presentation ceremony was opened by the senior vice-president of CCIRF, Boris Pastukhov and ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Russia Zalmai Aziz.

The Afghan delegation included 25 businessmen and was headed by the AISA president Omar Zakhilval. Among the Russians who attended the presentation were parliamentarians from the Lower House, officials from Foreign and Economic Development Ministries and businessmen who are keen on the Afghan market.

Boris Pastukhov described energy, construction and vehicles as the key trends on the Afghan market for Russian companies. According to the vice-president of CCTRF, several offices of Russian companies function in Afghanistan.

Afghan ambassador Zalmai Aziz described as important and useful the involvement of Russian companies in rebuilding his country’s economy. He said customs duties for imported goods in the country had been the lowest in the region. India charges 22.2%, Pakistan – 17.3% and Afghanistan – 4.2%. The Afghan ambassador pointed that the country is situated in an important geopolitical region that links countries in Central Asia and South Asia. “I hope today’s event will be the beginning of solid Russian investment in the economy of Afghanistan”, said Ambassador Zalmai Aziz.

According to Omar Zahilval, about $5 billion have been invested in the Afghan economy in the past five years. About $1 billion were invested in 2006 alone. In fact, investment in 2004 and 2005 was $800 million and $650 million respectively. Commenting on the security situation in the country he said mass media had often exaggerated it. “The best showing of security is the confidence of business”, said the president of AISA. At the same time Omar Zahilval admitted the presence of certain risk and added that this had been an obstacle that had prevented foreign investment from growing. He estimated as stable as a whole the country’s military and political situation. “None of the companies has wrapped up its work in the past six years”, said Omar Zahilval.

The AISA president invited Russian entrepreneurs to invest in energy, mineral resources production, agriculture, transport, financial sector and telecommunications. “Compared with other investors you have experience in working in Afghanistan”, emphasized the head of Afghan delegation. “You know our market better than any one else.”

The vice-president of CCIRF and the president of AISA signed a protocol after the presentation. For one, the protocol says: “Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and the Afghan Investment Support Agency state that agreements reached by the Presidents of Russia and Afghanistan at their meeting in Bishkek create strong political foundation for promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic ties between the two countries”.