Monday, 13th July, 2026
At a session hosted by the Government Media and Information Center, Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), attended on behalf of the country's private sector and expressed his support and appreciation for the issuance of the tax relief decree, emphasizing its importance in improving the business environment.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Mr. Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Mullah Mohammad Nasir Akhund, Minister of Finance; Mr. Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Sheikh-ul-Hadith Noor-ul-Haq Anwar, Head of the General Directorate of Administrative Affairs; Mr. Mufti Abdul Mateen Saeed, Deputy Minister for Revenue and Customs; Mr. Ahmad Nabi Zada, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines; as well as a number of traders, investors, and industrialists. The gathering served as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between the government and the private sector.
In his remarks, Mr. Hanafi highlighted the strategic priorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in supporting the private sector and encouraging investment. He stressed that such support would contribute significantly to sustainable economic growth, strengthen the country's economic infrastructure, and reinforce cooperation between the government and the private sector.
During the session, the Minister of Finance introduced 13 categories of tax exemptions and incentives approved by the government to facilitate trade and improve the tax environment. These measures are intended to stimulate production, attract domestic and foreign investment, create employment opportunities, and enhance the competitiveness of Afghanistan's business sector.
Welcoming the decree on reducing income taxes, Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi emphasized the importance of continuing structural reforms and introducing additional business facilitation measures. He noted that consulting private sector representatives before making major economic decisions would ensure that government policies better reflect market realities and lead to more effective outcomes, while also strengthening transparency and economic governance.
Mr. Hashemi also highlighted the responsibilities of the private sector, stressing that alongside government support, traders and investors have an important duty to conduct their activities based on ethical principles, integrity, and compliance with the law. He emphasized the timely payment of taxes and called on businesses to refrain from hoarding goods or imposing unjustified price increases, describing these principles as essential for building a healthy and sustainable economy.
The Chairman of ACCI further reaffirmed the private sector's readiness to play an active and constructive role in shaping economic policies, providing professional recommendations, and identifying practical solutions to the challenges facing businesses. The meeting reflected the shared commitment of both the government and the private sector to advancing Afghanistan's economic development through stronger cooperation, improved economic infrastructure, and enhanced opportunities for sustainable growth.
