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On 17^th/October/2020 the National Transit and Transport Day was celebrated in Kabul Star Hotel; in the presence of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sayed Zaman Hashimi, Qudratullah Zaki Acting Minister of the Transport, Itebar Khan Zadran Advisor to the President, Ahmad Zia Azimi Shenozada member of the board of directors, Lutfullah Amini Head of Bameyan Chamber, ACCI’s transport committee’s assistant, Head of the communication’s commission of the Parliament, representatives of Afghanistan’s Chamber Federation (ACF) and other chambers, freight forwarding companies, and members of the private sector.

Mr. Sayed Zaman Hashimi talked about the existing challenges in Transit and Transport and said that ACCI expects that fundamental decisions will be taken to eliminate these challenges in next conference which is going to be held in the presidential palace. He, furthermore, said that in order to eliminate the problems of Transit and Transport on Lapis Lazuli route and Chabahar port, signing bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral MoU is essential.

Mr. Hashimi said that using the TIR Carnet system with the neighbor and regional countries is a good privilege, although, Afghanistan has issued 176 TIR Carnet during the past eight years and has not been able to use this system the way it should have been used and the reason is the lack of cooperation of the customs of the country.

ACCI’s CEO said that they have provided suggestions about the usage of Chabahar Port and Lapis Lazuli to the Presidential palace and Administrative office of the President. He added that some of the rules of the Transport Law are problematic and needs to be amended in consultation with the Private Sector.

Mr. Qudratullah Zaki DM of Transport said that sector of the transport is the key element of economic and social development. He talked about the ongoing activities of the Ministry of Transport on national and international levels, development of the Transit and Transport sector, and establishment of the air and land corridors.

Afterwards, ACCI’s transport committee’s assistant, Head of the communication’s commission of the Parliament, ACF’s CEO and other chambers, freight forwarding companies, and members of the private sector also talked about the existing problems of Transit and Transport.  

During this online session, the CEO of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, expressed and talked about the existing relations of both countries and called this event a great opportunity.

ACCI’s CEO explained all the opportunities and facilities which could lead to better trading relations between both countries. He, furthermore, named all the items and products of Afghanistan which could have a huge demand in Sri Lankan markets.

He asserted that the air corridors and Cha Bahar port are significant for transit between both countries. He added that these transit ways pave the way for better trading between businesspeople of both countries and pointed out that these transit ways are useful for the exports and imports of both countries.

The CEO of Sri Lankan Chamber of Commerce Mr. Manjulad Salwa said that this MoU is a good opportunity for both countries to develop and expand their trading. He, furthermore, said that he hopes to bring entrepreneurs close to each other through this MoU and to expand trade between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

He said that Sri Lanka would import the necessary items from Afghanistan which they used to import from the neighbor countries of Afghanistan.

He welcomed the two types of transportations suggested by Afghanistan and added that the President and Prime minister of Sri Lanka supports the MoU signed by Afghanistan and Sri Lanka for the purpose of expanding commercial relations.

The ambassador of Afghanistan for Colombo Mr. Ashraf Haidari attended this meeting and said that Afghanistan is located in the heart of Asia and can be a connecting point for the countries of the region including Sri Lanka.

He also added that the location of Sri Lanka as significant which can play an important role in south Asian countries and in Indian sea. Moreover, Sri Lanka’s products such as: coconuts, fruit, and vegetables can meet the need of both countries. He added that Sri Lanka can make a good profit from the products of Afghanistan such as: saffron, rugs, fresh and dry fruit, precious stones, and handicrafts in its markets.

MoU of sending business delegations, organizing exhibitions, conducting exhibitions, and expanding relations of both chambers was signed at the end of this online meeting by the CEOs of both chambers.     

Mr. Tawakl Ahamadyar ACCI’s Director - General, Muhammad Younus Muhmand ACCI’s First Deputy, Muhammad Gardezey and Ahmad Zia Azimi Shenozada members of the board of directors, Sayed Zaman Hashimi ACCI’s Chief Executive Officer, a number of traders and investors of Southeastern Zone of the country, representatives of construction sectors, industry and private universities, DMs of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of the Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance met with the First Vice President of the country and had a discussion about the problems of the private sector and existing challenges.

The First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Amrullah Salih asked the traders to share their problems and assured them that the government would provide legal support and solutions for their problems.

Mr. Tawakal Ahmadyar thanked the First Vice President of the country for holding regular meetings and providing solutions for the problems of the private sector.

The traders and investors of the Southeastern Zone of the country talked about the problems regarding the Ghulam Khan and Dande Patan Customs, infrastructure, construction, higher education, banking, women entrepreneurship, and security challenges and asked for being provided legal support and assistance.

After hearing the problems of the traders and investors, the First Vice President of the country promised to provide solutions for their problems.      

ACCI’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sayed Zaman Hashimi met and had discussions with Mr. Juan M Esterada-Valle, Ph.D. Chief of Party and MS. Flouran Wali Sr. Technical Advisor for USAID Afghanistan Value Chains.   

Afghanistan Value Chains is a USAID project, which has been implemented by DAI for the last two years.

ACCI’s CEO besides explaining challenges of Afghan exports, added that currently it’s the season to export Afghan fresh fruits but we lack the availability of freight forwarding companies.  

Mr. Hashimi said, “Whenever we are able to reduce the cost of transit, we can compete on regional and international levels.” He insisted that there are enough Afghani products to be exported abroad; however, getting these products to international markets is a challenging issue. In order to get Afghani products to international markets, ACCI is committed to grasping the support of international organizations and governmental agencies. He added that the ACCI is planning to use a new guideline of exports to the neighbor countries and all trade partners.

Mr. Esterada the Director of the AVC-HVC project, said that in order to have the agricultural products improved and are able to meet the regional and international standards, they are going to help and train the farmers. The export companies are then going to be able to get relevant and valid certificates.

Afterwards, MS. Flouran Wali Sr. Technical Advisor of the AVC-HVC project, confirmed all the activities done so far and expressed her opinions about the joint-work with ACCI and other national and international donors. She, furthermore, suggested that an MoU of assistance has to be signed between DAI and ACCI.

A Special Committee of Gas Stations was inaugurated, in the presence of Mr. Tawakal Ahmadyar ACCI’s Director General, Mr. Khan Jan Alokozy and Muhammad Dawood Yousufzy “members of the managerial delegation of the Chamber”, Mr. Shafiqullah Atayee “Policy and Technical Deputy of the Chamber”, and a number of members of the Gas Stations Union.

Mr. Tawkal Ahmadyar affirmed that the inauguration of this committee will decrease the challenges of the sector and improve customer service of the Stations. He said that the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment is home for all the private sector and investors of the country. He promised that in order to solve the existing challenges of the sector, further development of the sector and improved services for the customers; ACCI’s leadership would provide all the required legal support and coordination between the sector and relevant governmental organizations.

Mr. Khan Jan Alokozy said that besides providing better services for the people especially on motorways of the country, the Gas Stations constitute the main part of the private sector. However, without the services of this sector, the chances of activity for other sectors seem to be impossible.

Mr. Shafiqullah Atayee “Policy and Technical Deputy” of the chamber said that this particular committee is comprised of different categories of the private sector. The leadership of ACCI is committed to discuss all their issues and consider their suggestions with the line departments of the government and to provide the facilities required.

Mr. Haji Zabihullah “President of the Gas Stations Union” thanked ACCI for inaugurating this special committee. He asked ACCI’s further support in overcoming all the existing challenges in the sector.  

It was agreed that until the elections of the committee Mr. Zabihullah will chaire the committee and work as a temporary head; Haji Momin, Haji Masaood, Haji Sha Rabbain as deputies, and Allah Muhammad Ahmadzy as the secretary of the Special Committee of the Gas Stations.