Archive

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI)’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Shafiqullah Atayee, International Labor Organization (ILO)’s Senior Representative Mr. Muhammad Ramin Behzad, Deputies of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Mr. Ghulam Haidar Jailane, and Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Shapoor, and president of the Labor Association Mr. Abdul Maroof Qadari attended the Asia Regional Child Labor Program (ARC)’s conference in Kabul.

Mr. Atayee said, “Poverty, insecurity, lack of education, addiction to narcotics, and the lack of child support packages from the government side are the main reasons of child labor in Afghanistan.”

He, furthermore, said that ACCI has always shared its child protection policies with its members and stakeholders.

Mr. Atayee added that if financial and technical obstacles are removed, the strategy of removing child labor from Afghanistan is more likely to be implemented and the commitment and promises of the government of Afghanistan, International Community, Employers, and Employment Organizations make us more optimistic in regards to removing child labor from Afghanistan.

According to UNICEF and Ministry of Education statistics, 3.7 million children were deprived of school last year and 80% of them became laborers. During the ILO’s conference organized in Argentina in 2018, the government of Afghanistan promised to remove child labor in Afghanistan until 2025.

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI)'s Chairman Mr. Tawakal Ahmadyar, President of the Chamber of Mines and Industry, AWCCI’s President, ACCI’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, and AWCCI’s Deputy to the Executive Board Ms. Parwarish Oryakhel met with the President of the High Council for Reconciliation H.E. Dr. Abdulla Abdullah and had a discussion about peace and recruiting representatives of the Private Sector in HCNR.

At the beginning, Mr. Ahmadyar talked about the significance and role of the Private Sector in national processes, especially Istanbul Peace Conference. Afterwards, Mr. Sherbaz Kamen Zada and Afsana Rehimi talked about coordination in regards to Istanbul Peace Conference.

Mr. Atayee presented a blueprint prepared by the National Chambers for a special session on the sidelines of the Istanbul Peace Conference.

Mr. Abdulla Abdullah addressed the role of the Private Sector in peace process as significant and promised that he would give memberships to the members of the chambers in the High Council for National Reconciliation periodically. He, furthermore, certified the blueprint presented about the special session on the sidelines of the Istanbul Peace Conference.

Mr. Abdullah Abdullah said, “Presence of the Private Sector representatives in peace process and role of the Private Sector for economic stability is essential and vital.” He, furthermore, promised that members of the three national chambers of Afghanistan and Private Sector are going to be facilitated to attend Istanbul Peace Conference and to have memberships of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

The director-general of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture Mr. Abdullah Salih Kamil organized the 37th online meeting of the (ICCIA) which was attended by the acting chief executive officer of the ACCI and presidents, deputies, and secretaries of the 57 chambers of the Islamic countries.

Mr. Atayee said, “establishing economic and regional cooperation between the Islamic counties is important. The ICCIA plays an important role in strengthening the economic cooperation and dispute resolution.”
He, furthermore, asked the participants of the meeting to increase coordination in the expansion of commercial relations, joint investment, and knowledge exchange.

Later on, the participants of the meeting talked about the expansion of commercial relations and existing investment opportunities in their countries. Also, they elected 19 member countries to act as the Board of Directors for the (ICCIA).

ICCIA was established through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 1979 and is comprised of the 57 chambers of the Islamic countries.

ACCI became one of the members of the ICCIA in 2008.

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI)'s Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Shafiqullah Atayee met with the Afghan Ambassador to Egypt Mr. Muhammad Muheq and had a discussion about the expansion of commercial relations, organizing trade events, and establishing a joint commercial chamber.

Mr. Atayee said, “In order to strengthen and expand the commercial relations of both countries, it is necessary to organize commercial exhibitions in Cairo and in Kabul, establish a joint commercial chamber, organize commercial conferences, and to have an Afghan commercial delegation travel to Egypt.”

He, furthermore, asked the Afghan Ambassador to Egypt to provide ACCI with a list of all the Afghan products which have a great demand in the markets of Egypt, establish preferential tariffs on Afghan products, and to pave the way for the expansion of economic relations.

Mr. Muheq said, “In order to strengthen and expand the commercial relations of both countries, we promise to meet all the relevant Egyptian officials and organize an online conference next week.”

He, furthermore, said that Afghan traders are going to participate and exhibit Afghan products in (Africa Food) exhibition which is going to be launched in September/2021.

At the end of the meeting, ACCI’s Acting Chief Executive Officer and Afghan Ambassador to Egypt agreed to sign an MOU for further joint ventures.

Afghanistan exports dried fruit, herbs, and rugs to Egypt and imports medical and electrical equipment, medicines, and machinery.

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI)'s First Deputy to the Board of Directors attended the Farewell Party of the Turkish Ambassador to Afghanistan and appreciated his hard work in regards to strengthening relations of the both countries and traveling to different provinces of the country especially Kandahar.

Mr. Muhmand asked the Turkish Ambassador to use his knowledge and understanding of the context of Afghanistan in expanding the relations of both countries and economic support.

Mr. Artughrul said that he was happy to meet Mr. Muhmand and added that he is going to use his knowledge and understanding of the context of Afghanistan in strengthening the relations of both countries.