Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force

This site is maintained by the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Task Force provides information and counseling to companies pursuing business opportunities in Afghanistan. [MORE]

Afghan Delegates Complete Training at Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution

In December 2011, senior members of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry completed a three-day workshop on arbitration and mediation at the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution. The event was organized in association with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program. Learn more.

Afghanistan Ministry of Mines Announces Four New Tenders

In December 2011, the Afghan Ministry of Mines announced a total of four new tenders for project areas containing gold and copper, including Badakhshan (low-sulphide gold quartz-vein); Zarkashan (copper-gold skarn); Balkhab (VMS); and Shaida (copper porphyry).

Visit www.afghanmineraltenders.com and www.mom.gov.af to learn more.

7th Annual U.S.-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference Held in Washington, DC

The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) held the 7th Annual U.S.-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference (BMC) November 14 and 15, 2011, in Washington, DC.

Panel discussions with U.S. and Afghan business and government leaders highlighted opportunities in critical sectors including mining and natural resources; agribusiness; information and communications technology; construction and infrastructure; energy and power; transportation; and logistics and security. Visit www.a-acc.org to learn more.

U.S. Geological Survey Releases Study on Afghanistan’s Mineral Resources

In early October, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released an updated survey on Afghanistan’s mineral resources, notably including rare earth elements, gold, iron and copper.

Read Article

View Report

See Press Release

Commerce Launches Carpet Retail and Export Training Series

From September 21-27, the U.S. Department of Commerce held a series of training sessions for Afghan rug and carpet producers in the cities of Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat, Afghanistan, on how to export to the United States. Sponsored in partnership with the Export Promotion Agency Afghanistan (EPAA), two American carpet importers and retailers instructed Afghan weavers on techniques for enhancing their sales prospects in the U.S. market. This initiative is an important step in growing the economy of Afghanistan, helping them transition to a stable and sustainable future.

Commerce staff worked closely with the EPAA and other U.S. and Afghan partners to draw over 150 Afghan participants to the trainings, with plans to continue developing follow-on activities to support the growth in export skills of these Afghan rug and carpet producers.

Link to Kabul training

Afghanistan Revenue Department Releases Tax Guidance

The Afghanistan Revenue Department (ARD) has released English-language tax guidance on the following topics, linked below in PDF format:

Visit ARD’s website periodically to learn if more information has become available.

Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez to Lead Business Development Mission to Afghanistan

Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, will lead a vital trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan, this September. Sánchez will bring representatives from 10 U.S. companies who are interested in pursuing export, partnership, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

The following companies were selected for participation: Aeromix – Golden Valley, Minn.; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. – Fort Worth, Texas; Case New Holland – Washington, D.C.; Dynamic Defense Materials – Marlton, N.J.; Hertz – Park Ridge, N.J.; MCT Industry – Albuquerque, N.M.; Momentum Financial – New York, N.Y.; Morris and McDaniel, Inc. – Alexandria, Va.; Navistar Defense – Washington, D.C.; and Quality Pavement Repair – Alpharetta, Ga.  Read more

Afghan Cashmere Traders Attend SPINEXPO:  July 18 – 20

From July 18 – 20, cashmere traders from Afghanistan will be at SPINEXPO to host the “Afghan Cashmere” booth.  Confirmed for attendance are Hotak Abdul Basir, the President of Herati Cashmere & Skin Processing Company and Abdul Aziz Zarang, the President of the  Afghanistan Cashmere Association. 

The delegates will attend to seek new marketing opportunities for Afghanistan’s skin; raw, dehaired cashmere; and yarns and variety of finished products for all foreign countries participating.  They are also conducting market research for cashmere products in the United States, Europe and Asia.  This visit is brought by the United States Agency for International Development’s Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Program (USAID/ASAP), and is also supported by the Department of Commerce’s Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force.   To meet these traders please come to booth F01 at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

Pepsi to Open Bottling Plant in Afghanistan

PepsiCo recently signed an exclusive deal with the Dubai-based Alokozay Group to manufacture and distribute popular Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew and 7-UP in Afghanistan. A $60 million beverage bottling plant will be built in Kabul, and is expected to come into operation in March 2012. The deal is also expected to directly create 800 jobs.

Trade Mission to Kabul Announced
September 2011

A Senior U.S. Department of Commerce official will lead a business development trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan, in September 2011. Participants will include small, medium and large U.S. businesses interested in exploring long-term business opportunities in Afghanistan. Applications are due by June 24, 2011. Read more

At April 13, a free, hour-long webinar with Senior Commercial Officer Robyn Kessler provided an overview of commercial opportunities in Afghanistan and responded to general questions for companies interested in the mission. View Slideshow Listen to Audio

One-Stop Shop from Afghan Exports Opens in Kabul
March 2011

In March, Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industries, H.E. Anwar ul Haq Ahadi, and U.S. Ambassador, Hans Klemm, opened the One-Stop Shop for Exporting. The new facility will host nine out of eleven Afghan agencies exports require trade authorization from under one roof to streamline the export process. The new facility is expected to reduce the time to complete export authorization procedures from days to hours and increase the transparency of the export process.

“Increasing the efficiency and volume of exports means more export earnings, more investments, higher income to Afghan producers, and the creation of more long-term employment opportunities,” said Ambassador Klemm.  “This new facility highlights our successful efforts with the Government of Afghanistan in the areas of trade and customs and demonstrates the U.S. Government’s commitment to the people of Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan’s National Business Agenda Report Released
March 28, 2011

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) presented Afghanistan’s National Business Agenda (NBA) to over 150 people representing the government, private sector, academia, and international community.  This event was the culmination of a coordinated effort between the Chamber and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) to better understand the business challenges in the country and to frame appropriate solutions.  Five regional consultative sessions involving 1,300 businessmen and women were held to gather the inputs that will serve to guide our prospective advocacy endeavors. Read the report

2011 Afghanistan Country Commercial Guide Now Available
March 17, 2011

Every year, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul puts together an overview of the economic, legal, political, and financial systems in Afghanistan, with a view toward providing useful information for U.S. businesses interested in investment in or trade with this country. This report is now available in its most recent issue online, free-of-charge for your convenience. Read more

Third International Afghan Marble & Stone Conference
May 25-27, 2011

The Afghanistan Marble Industry Association (AMIA) has announced the third annual Afghanistan International Marble Conference to be held May 25-27, 2011, in Herat, Afghanistan.  Hosted by the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and the AMIA, learn more by viewing the save the date or conference flyers; or by visiting the website.

International Afghan Tourism Conference Announced
May 23-30, 2011

The provinces of Bamyan and Panjshir and the city of Kabul will be hosting tourism and related industry conferences from May 23-30, 2011.  View the flyer. More information will be available soon.

ConExpo / ConAgg
March 22 – March 26, 2011

From March 22 to March 25, 10 Afghans construction firms attending ConExpo in Las Vegas, Nevada, will participate in the Department of Commerce’s International Buyers Program (IBP), which recruits thousands of qualified foreign buyers, sales representatives, and business partners to attend U.S. trade shows each year. These ten companies represent the first Afghan delegation to participate in an International Buyers Program (IBP), and highlight the Afghan companies’ interest in working closely with U.S. firms on construction projects throughout Afghanistan. Their presence at ConExpo provides U.S. companies the opportunity to identify Afghan firms to partner with on the many construction tenders being issued by the U.S. and other donors in Afghanistan. By partnering with a local Afghan firm, U.S. companies may qualify for the “Afghan First” set-aside in many of the construction and infrastructure tenders.

The Afghan companies participating in the event include: the Afghanistan Builders Association, Afghan Electrical Power Corporation, Aman Construction and Rehabilitation Company, Afghanistan Rehabilitation Architecture Organization, Elite Construction, Express Group International, Road and Roof Construction Company, Foshang Construction Company, Venco Imtiaz Construction Company, and FCEC/UI Projects.

Afghan Carpet Resource Center
January 14-16

From January 14-16, ITA hosted an “Afghan Carpet Resource Center” at the AmericasMart International Area Rug Market, the premiere and largest rug market in the United States. The resource center provided exhibitors and attendees at the Market with information on Afghan rugs, including informational flyers on Afghan rug associations and resources, Afghan rug booklets, and information on the ITA’s Sheep to Shop initiative. The Resource Center also exhibited rugs made in Afghanistan from U.S. importers including Ariana Rugs and Zamani Gallery. Special supporters included the Embassy of Afghanistan, Towpath Group International, LLC, Zamani Gallery, and Ariana Rugs.

Ministry of Mines Identifies Bidders for Next Round of Hajigak Iron Ore Tender
January 20, 2011

The Afghanistan Ministry of Mines has announced that 22 companies, including one U.S. consortium, that have expressed interest in the Hajigak Iron Ore Tender have been invited to bid. Read more

IRAN: What You Need to Know about U.S. Economic Sanctions
December 2, 2010

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has created a fact sheet “An Overview of O.F.A.C. Regulations Involving Sanctions Against Iran.” This fact sheet provides general information about the Iranian sanctions programs under the Iranian Transactions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560, and the Iranian Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 535. To view the fact sheet, click here.

NEWS STORY: Citi and Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) Enter into Banking Agreement
October 13, 2010

New York, October 13, 2010 – Citi announced that its Global Transaction Services business, entered into a banking agreement with the Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) headquartered in Kabul for AIB to serve as Citi’s correspondent in Afghanistan. The arrangement will strengthen the ability of GTS clients to execute payment and trade transactions to support business activities in Afghanistan. The alliance is seen as an important step in supporting Afghanistan’s financial sector and its overall economic development. Since AIB was founded in 2004, it has developed into a fully operational commercial bank, offering a broad range of products and services including access to ATMs and Internet banking for local and foreign customers. From the beginning its major objectives have been to assist in developing the Afghan economy and to build banking capabilities in accordance with international governance standards. To read more, click here.

Third Afghanistan Carpet Fair: Afghan Carpets Combine Tradition and Modernity
November 27 – 30, 2010

Are you a rug collector or buyer interested in Afghan rugs? The Department of Commerce would like to inform you of an opportunity to participate in a carpet fair hosted by the Afghan Export Promotion Agency (EPAA). The EPAA invites you to attend their Third Afghanistan Carpet Fair at the Loya Jirga Compound in Kabul, Afghanistan, which will take place from November 27-30, 2010. You must apply by November 14 to take part in this unique opportunity.

EPAA will select qualified U.S. businesses and will provide travel accommodations including,

Free round trip tickets Dubai-Kabul-Dubai for which we require the exact date of departure and arrival

Accommodation for two nights at a hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, and

Airport pick up/drop and Hotel-Fair-Hotel transportation.

The show will feature contemporary, traditional, modern, and antique rugs (including unique collector’s rugs), representing Afghanistan’s rug producing provinces and associations. All rugs on will be available for immediate sale. The show will attract over 60 vendors who will showcase their products, including new Afghan traders along with those that have been in the business for decades.

Interested rug businesses may submit information to Noor Alam at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force (AIRTF)

Phone: (202) 482-1421 | E-mail: Noor.Alam@trade.gov | Fax: (202) 482-0980, and the AIRTF will submit the information to the EPAA.

American Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan (AmCham Afghanistan)

The newly launched American Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan (AmCham Afghanistan) states: “Our mission is to promote American business interests in Afghanistan. To provide a forum in which American business executives and business executives with American interests may identify, discuss and pursue common interests regarding their activities and to promote the further development of commerce between the United States and Afghanistan. AmCham Afghanistan will be a positive business influence in Afghanistan by improving the business climate and conducting business on the highest ethical standards.” Visit the website.

News Story: Massive Afghan Iron Ore Deposit Up for Tender Again

HAJIGAK, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghanistan put its Hajigak iron ore deposit back up for tender on Saturday, after taking it off the market last year, promising security for investors despite a worsening insurgency.

Afghan Mines Minister Wahidullah Shahrani said he hoped production would start by 2014 on what he said was a huge, high-quality ore vein, that offered investors a rare opportunity with reserves estimated to be worth as much as $350 billion. To read the rest of this article, click here.

About the Hajigak Iron Deposit from the Ministry of Mines: “Hajigak Iron Deposit is located 100 Km in west of Kabul the capital of Afghanistan between Bamyan and Maidan Wardag Provinces on ranks of Hindokush mountain, and, according to the survey this deposit have about 2 billion tons of iron and its ores have about 62% of iron. It is estimated that extraction of all of the iron from the deposit will take about 180 years. The council of Ministers has approved the plan for bidding of Hajigak Iron Deposit, but it conditioned to the variety of sub-projects like railway, power generation and other needed projects.” To learn more, click here or visit the Ministry of Mines website. To view the Request for Expression of Interest, click here.

Kabul International Exhibition
October 24 - 27, 2010

As part of the Afghanistan Investment and Support Agency’s (AISA) new Image Building Campaign for Afghanistan, AISA will have its second Kabul International Exhibition from October 24 – 27, 2010. The first exhibition – a smaller version of the upcoming - took place during the Kabul Conference in July 2010.

U.S. and other international businesses are invited to attend. This opportunity allows attendees to be exposed to Afghan products and services, attend an exhibition featuring Afghanistan’s capacities in their various business sectors, see Afghanistan’s recent economic achievements, and more. To learn more about the Exhibition, please view flyer or contact the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force.

Kabul International AgFair 2010: Agribusiness Industry, and Investment Opportunities
October 6 - 8, 2010

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) invite U.S. and international companies to attend the Kabul Fresh Fruit and Vegetable International AgFair at the Badam Bagh Fairgrounds in Kabul Afghanistan from October 6-8, 2010.  This will be the fourth AgFair held in Kabul.  The previous fair, which had 220 exhibitors, was attended by 70 international business representatives and had over 120,000 visitors.

The AgFair provides an excellent opportunity for international business to: 1) Discover new investment opportunities in Afghanistan, 2)Participate in business-to-business meetings, roundtable and business networking sessions with firms involved in the export, transport,  processing, and packaging of fresh and dried fruit and vegetables, cashmere and other products , and 3) Gain market share in the expanding Afghan retail market.

There will be opportunities for U.S. participants in the following subsectors (but not limited to): Agro-business products and technology, Machinery and Equipment, Seeds and Inputs, Livestock health, Irrigation Technology, Agricultural technology, Cold-chain management, Pesticides, Cultivation Techniques.

Visit the official website http://www.agfair.af/ for more information about the 2010 Kabul AgFair and contact Noor Alam at the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force at (202) 482 - 1421 or reach her by e-mail at Noor.Alam@trade.gov for more information on the USAID business mission. In Kabul, you may also get in touch with: Wazma Ayoubi, Phone:  93 (0) 794 10 04 29, Email: agfair2010@asap-af.com or Sophie Barry, Phone: 93 (0) 793 41 08 11, Email: sbarry@asap-af.com.

ITA Visit to the AmericasMart July 2010 Market
July 14-15, 2010

On July 14 - 15, Noor Alam and Mary Lynn Landgraf of the Office of Textiles and Apparel visited the Atlanta’s AmericasMart July 2010 market. At the market, they gave an update on the Department of Commerce-led “Sheep to Shop” initiative to the Oriental Rug Importer’s Association members and board, and the AmericasMart executive staff. They also met and interviewed U.S. rug importers about the current status and interest of Afghan rugs in the U.S. market today.

New Iran Sanctions May Impact Afghan Trade
July 1, 2010

On July 1, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA). CISADA, among other things, imposes economic sanctions relating to Iran that go into effect September 29, 2010.

With certain exceptions, CISADA prohibits the importation of goods or services of Iranian origin directly or indirectly into the United States. No exception to this prohibition may be made for the commercial importation of an Iranian-origin good described in section 560.534(a) of the Iranian Transactions Regulations (31 C.F.R. part 560), such as carpets and certain foodstuffs (e.g. dried fruits and nuts).

The CISADA provisions will affect U.S. persons and non-U.S. persons (individuals and entities) who currently rely on the Iranian Transactions Regulations, 31 Code of Federal Regulations part 560 (ITR), to import into the United States carpets and certain foodstuffs (e.g., dried fruits and nuts) from Afghanistan that have been transshipped through Iran. Afghan-origin carpets and certain foodstuffs that are transshipped through Iran enter Iranian commerce and become goods of Iranian-origin, which U.S. persons and non-U.S. persons will be prohibited from importing into the United States after September 29, 2010.

Steps a U.S. person, company or financial institution may wish to take:

Learn about current Iran sanctions here.

Review the provisions of CISADA here.

Visit the website of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions, here.

2010 Afghanistan Country Commercial Guide Now Available
June 18, 2010

Every year, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul puts together an overview of the economic, legal, political, and financial systems in Afghanistan, with a view toward providing useful information for U.S. businesses interested in investment in or trade with this country. This report is now available in its most recent issue online, free-of-charge for your convenience. Read more

The 2010 Afghanistan Investment Climate Statement
May 28, 2010

The U.S. Department of State has recently released the 2010 Afghanistan Investment Climate Statement. Investment Climate Statements provide a thorough description of the overseas environments in which U.S. investors must operate.

The statements cover general characteristics, such as openness to foreign investment and treatment of foreign investors, as well as details about procedures for licensing and similar administrative matters. View report

New Survey Released on the Afghan Business Environment
May 6, 2010

A recent survey of the Afghan business community highlights Afghan businesses’ desire to engage policymakers in Afghanistan on the country’s most pressing business development challenges: security, government corruption and lack of electricity. Read more View Report

Afghan Marble Sector Featured in International Media
April 20, 2010

International attention to the sector continues to grow, with a recent Reuters article featuring an analysis of the sector drawbacks and opportunities. Read more

AACC–NDU: Opportunities in Afghanistan Construction, Infrastructure, and Logistics
Washington, D.C. Conference, April 15, 2010

The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) sponsored an event on April 15, 2010 on Construction, Infrastructure and Logistics in Afghanistan. In order to help achieve construction and logistical objectives in Afghanistan, the AACC in collaboration with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., hosted this one-day conference to inform industry about the opportunities and other aspects of doing business in Afghanistan.

The Conference presented a chance to harness professional engineers, architects and construction professionals of the Afghan community in the United States as well as non-Afghan American firms and partner those companies and professionals with Afghan and U.S. companies doing business in Afghanistan.

For more information, please contact AACC at 703-442-5005 or click here.

Second Afghanistan International Marble Conference Hosted in Heart
April 12-16, 2010

On April 12-16, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and USAID/Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED) hosted the Afghan International Marble Conference II in Herat.

International investors, Afghan quarry and processing operators, industry experts, local and international business and government leaders identified investment and partnership opportunities and learned about important trends in Afghanistan’s fastest-growing marble sector.

The conference brought together resources on the latest technology, equipment and training innovations, as well as available financing and investment support. Participants learned the latest on improvements in the regulatory environment, and had the opportunity to meet key producers and potential joint-venture partners.

For more information, contact Ariana Monti at ariana.monti@trade.gov or (202) 482-3754.

“Afghan Allure” Exhibit
September 20 – 22, 2009
October 14-15, 2009

The AIRTF hosted the Afghan Allure Exhibit at the New York International Carpet Show from September 20 – 22, and at the Seattle Design Trends show from October 14 – 15 of this Fall 2009. This special exhibit sampleed a variety of some of the finest Afghan hand-woven rugs from savvy Afghan rug companies. The exhibit also featured jewelry, and other cultural items, promoting the rich culture and art of Afghanistan, which dates centuries back and is known to be the Heart of the Silk Road. For information on this event, please contact Noor Alam of the Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Force of the Department of Commerce at Noor.Alam@mail.doc.gov or (202) 482-1421.

U.S.-Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference
October 18-20, 2009

Stone Business Magazine Features Afghanistan Marble

Afghanistan’s 60 known deposits of dimensional stone were featured as August’s “Source of Stone” in the most recent issue of Stone Business Magazine. The Afghanistan Marble and Granite Processors Association (AMGPA) works with several international partners to promote Afghan stone internationally, with anticipated stone exhibits at the upcoming stone industry shows in Verona, Italy, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Read more

For more information on and to view images of the marble resources in Afghanistan, view the British Geological Survey’s Afghan marble brochure.

2009 Afghanistan Country Commercial Guide Now Available

Every year, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul puts together an overview of the economic, legal, political, and financial systems in Afghanistan, with a view toward providing useful information for U.S. businesses interested in investment in or trade with this country. This report is now available in its most recent issue online, free-of-charge for your convenience. Read more

Afghan Marble Offers Beauty and Hope

Foreign direct investment, modern technology, and better management and equipment can help develop one of Afghanistan’s sectors of comparative advantage—marble. Those tools can help ensure economic stability in a nation that is still rebuilding from years of war. An article in the May 2009 “International Trade Update” Newsletter discusses the activities and results of the March 2009 Afghan Marble and Stone Conference. Read more

Extended: Hajigak Iron Deposit
Response Due: May 31, 2009

The Afghan Ministry of Mines has extended the request until May 31, 2009, for Expression Of Interest notice for the Hajigak Iron Deposit, which would ultimately give mineral rights to the qualified company to the Hajigak Iron deposit and surrounding lands exhibiting exploration potential. According to the Afghanistan Geological Survey and the British Geological Survey, the world-class Hajigak iron deposit(s) have an estimated resource base of some 1.8 billion tons at an estimated grade of 62% Fe (using the Russian classification system). View Request for Expression of Interest

The Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair
May 20-22, 2009

The Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair showcased Afghanistan's fresh fruits and vegetables and offered the opportunity for networking with hundreds of leading business representatives while exhibiting U.S. products and new technologies.

This was the fourth AgFair held at the Badam Bagh Fairground, with the featuring hundreds of exhibitors, 35 international business participants from countries including, the United States, China, Turkmenistan, India, Tajikistan, and the Netherlands. The Fair had over 30,000 visitors, with projected sales of up to $900,000. The AIRTF facilitated the attendance of four U.S. companies to attend the Fair.

Business matchmaking visits were available to participants, with key foreign investment opportunities across a range of infrastructure sectors from cold-chain management to import/export brokerage services as well as modern farming inputs spanning environmentally safe pesticides and the latest cultivation techniques.

For information on future shows, please contact Noor Alam of the Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Force of the Department of Commerce at noor.alam@mail.doc.gov or (202) 482-1421. Learn more

U.S. Business Roundtable with Afghan Minister of Commerce, Mr. Shahrani, and Industry and Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Rahimi
May 8, 2009

The Commerce Department hosted a U.S. Business Roundtable that presented over 20 U.S. Company participants interested in Afghanistan’s agribusiness and mining sectors the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Minister Shahrani and Afghan Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Minister Rahimi.

The event featured a discussion led by H.E. Minister Shahrani and H.E. Minister Rahimi on the opportunities and challenges to doing business in Afghanistan. The International Trade Administration’s Acting Undersecretary, Michelle O’Neill provided welcoming remarks to the Ministers and participants.

First Afghan Hydrocarbon Bidding Round 2009
Response Due: June 15, 2009

The Afghan Ministry of Mines has issued a Request For Expression of Interest notice for the pre-qualification for the participation in the First Afghan Hydrocarbon Bidding Round, which would be connected with an award of Exploration and Production Sharing contracts for the exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons in the Jangalikalan (Gas), Juma-Bashikurd (Gas), and Kashkari (Oil) blocks in Northern Afghanistan. View Request for Expression of Interest

The 2009 Afghanistan Investment Climate Statement

The U.S. Department of State has recently released the 2009 Afghanistan Investment Climate Statement. Investment Climate Statements provide a thorough description of the overseas environments in which U.S. investors must operate. The statements cover general characteristics, such as openness to foreign investment and treatment of foreign investors, as well as details about procedures for licensing and similar administrative matters. View report

The Afghan Marble and Stone Conference
March 23-26, 2009

From March 23 – March 26, 2009, the Afghanistan Marble and Granite Processors Association and the U.S. Agency for International Development will be hosting the Afghan Marble and Stone Conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, and invites U.S. investors and exporters to learn more about the opportunities in Afghanistan. The event will bring together a broad partnership of private sector firms, international financers, marble and stone industry experts, government agencies, and marble industry associations from around the world. For more information, please view the event flyer or contact Ariana Monti at ariana.monti@mail.doc.gov or (202) 482-3754.

The Mazar International AgFair & Cashmere Exhibition
March 11-13, 2009

From March 11 – March 13, 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture, with the support of the USAID, the Export Promotion Agency and others, will be hosting the first ever Mazar International AgFair and Cashmere Exhibition in Mazar-I-Sharif. The fair will bring together producers, buyers, packagers, government agencies, and other entities to facilitate and create business relationships. The Cashmere Exhibition will be a special segment of the Agfair to promote the Afghan cashmere industry. There will be other participating business sector representatives. For more information, please view www.agfair.af or view the event announcement.

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