ACCI MONTHLY NEETWORKING EVENT


On 23th of June chairman and our advisor, participated to the ACCI (Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) monthly meeting. It was the occasion to discuss about where is today the afghan business.

Among the present guest at this networking event, were present members of parliament, the Ministry of economy, the ambassador of United States mister Karl Eikenberry and Mahmud Karzai, president’s brother. This meeting was a networking event that gives a chance for major afghan industries to know each other and to enhance the business in Afghanistan. It is one of the keys to develop the country.
First, there was an introducing speech made by Mr. Karzai, then Karl Eikenberry answer questions that were asked.
One of the issues of the meeting was the fact that US army do not buy enough Afghan goods and services.  As Afghan industry is now getting better for competitive price, US army should buy more from Afghan suppliers. They are trying to do son, more and more. They for example, buy boots here in Afghanistan. Despite the fact that Chinese and Pakistani shoes are cheaper, the quality of afghan boots is better. But we can deplore that all this examples are not enough. Now the USA said, trough the voice of its ambassador, that they will only buy from industries and companies that have more than 70% of afghan employees.
Every year, USA invests 200 million dollars in Afghan industries, supplying their office with local made furniture. Einkenberry told that when he was speaking to President Obama in the conference room, the name holder on the table were made afghan. But this is only an anecdote. Afghan industry may need more than boots and name holder purchase.
Einkenberry insisted on the fact that the business should be more transparent. Corruption is ruining some efforts to re-built Afghanistan. But also he said that bureaucracy should be limited by the government: “less time in the government office, more time in business”. Then a better business environment will stimulate the number of jobs and will give more taxes to the government for the well being of afghan people. “We can do more if we work together” as he said.
 
However, a good initiative has been decided. US as settle a website to improve contracting between local companies and them. Now the offer will be displayed on afgfirst.org. This website also contains information for those foreigners who would like to invest in the country. How to behave etc...
Some progress can be already seen such as the health sector that is in constant development, and the road that are slowly getting better. The same is seen for the construction companies. Many business present in this event, work in the construction field. It can be seen all over Kabul where many buildings are erected. The cargo village, next to the Kabul will as well finished by the end of August.
A question asked by the person in charge of the mining was about how to develop them. It become now clearer that Afghanistan has huge mineral resources.
 
A question asked by a businessman having his own software company for few months, get our attention. He said that the NGO were selling the same product but as they were financed by private donor or Europe for example, their costs were much lower. He said that maybe next month he will have to close his company. An ambassador advisor replied that it is the market. But can we consider the unfair competition of the NGO as part of the market rules?
 
Among the whole assistance there were only one businesswomen but we can hope that in the future their will be more opportunities like that for women and that in the next conferences there will more than one, maybe one of the Karwan students.
 
After this conference we can hope that USA in Afghanistan will be a smarter consumer. We hope.