8th US-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference

December 4th , 2012

Introduction

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2012 was a year of challenges as well as major achievements for Afghanistan. The country went through important changes in terms of domestic developments and international relations. In this presentation I will discuss the most important changes since the 7th Afghan-US business matchmaking conference:

1.Domestic Developments

2.International Relations

Domestic Improvements

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Domestic Improvements

Domestic Improvements (1)

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• The Legal FrameworkAfghanistan is preparing to join the WTO This year the government revised a series of laws to meet national requirements and WTO standards with regard to:

• Civil Aviation• Anti-Hoarding• Land Management• Domestic Products‘ Safety Measures• Custom • Mining• Food safety • Mineral and Hydrocarbon

Domestic Improvements (3)

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• The Policy FrameworkDuring this year, the government of Afghanistan has drafted important policies to improve the business and investment environment. • Economic Policy• Industrial Policy• Trade Policy• Mining Policy• Agriculture Policy

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• National Priority Programs

Domestic Improvements (4)

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Domestic Improvements (5)

• The High Ecomomic CouncilIn line with a recommendation and proposal from ACCI, the President of Afghanistan, in October 2012 decided to establish the ‘High Economic Council’ at the national level. The Council is led by the Presedent and it has 13 members that meet twice a month to discuss economic policy issues.

Domestic Improvements (6)

The council members include:• The Minister of Finance• The Minister of Economy• The Minister of Commerce and Industries• The President of Centeral Bank• The Senior Economic Advisor to the President• The National Security Advisor to the President• Three representatives from the Academic

Fraternity,• Four representatives from the Private Sector

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8

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Domestic Improvements (7)

• ACCI development programs:Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) is also implementing some important projects to improve the business invironment:• Establishment of the Afghan-Pak Chamber• Establishment of Research Unit• Revival of the TIR,• Standard Dispute Resolution and Arbitration, • Tender Distribution and Training Programs

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Regional Developments

• Regional Improvements:There are major economic projects underway in Afghanistan and the region that will improve the business and investment invironment, including:• The TAPI project,• CASA 1000,• RECCA,• Istanbul Process,

International Relations

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International Relations

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International Relations (1)

Afghanistan has signed a series of Stratgic Agreements with the International and regional powers, including:• The USA• NATO• UK• Germany• France• Italy• China

• Australia• India

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International Relations (2)

There were some major international conferences on Afghanistan in 2012, where the international partners of Afghanistan committed to support Afghanistan during the transition and transformation period:• Chicago Conference• Tokyo Conference• Delhi Conference• Turkey Conference

Thank You

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