Thursday, August 13th, 2026
Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), met with Mr. Mullah Mohammad Nasir Akhund, Minister of Finance of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, at the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting focused on the challenges facing the country’s private sector, traders, and investors, particularly issues related to company audits, income tax, and creating greater facilities for trade and investment activities.
At the outset, Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi expressed his appreciation for the continued cooperation, goodwill, and attention of the Ministry of Finance toward the private sector, traders, and investors. He noted that whenever the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment has requested meetings to share the concerns and proposals of the private sector, the Ministry of Finance has welcomed such requests and consistently given serious attention to the challenges and demands of traders and investors.
Mr. Hashemi also expressed appreciation for the effective and constructive cooperation of the Minister of Finance in supporting the private sector, facilitating trade, and addressing the challenges of traders and investors. He emphasized that continued cooperation between the government and the private sector can play an important role in promoting trade, increasing investment, and advancing the country’s economic development.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on company audits conducted by the Audit Department of the Ministry of Finance and the mechanism for collecting income tax on companies’ annual revenues. In this regard, the Chairman of ACCI proposed establishing a mechanism to facilitate matters for traders, prevent administrative difficulties, and enhance transparency in tax payments. Under the proposed mechanism, when commercial goods enter customs from abroad, the relevant income tax would be calculated and settled at the same stage, after the customs duties have been cleared, in accordance with applicable principles and laws.
Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi added that implementing such a mechanism could, on the one hand, save traders from lengthy procedures and repeated administrative visits and, on the other hand, reduce opportunities for tax evasion, ensuring that all traders and companies fulfill their tax obligations in an orderly, transparent, and fair manner.
Mr. Mullah Mohammad Nasir Akhund, Minister of Finance of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, after hearing the views and proposals of the Chairman of ACCI, emphasized the government’s support for legitimate trade and investment activities in the country. He stated that the Ministry of Finance continuously seeks to provide the necessary facilities for the private sector within the framework of applicable principles and laws.
The proposal presented by the Chairman of ACCI regarding the settlement of income tax was also given attention by the Ministry of Finance. It was emphasized that its technical, financial, and implementation aspects should be reviewed by the relevant authorities and that an appropriate and practical mechanism should subsequently be developed.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized strengthening and continuing cooperation and coordination between the Ministry of Finance and ACCI, addressing the challenges of traders and investors, simplifying administrative and tax procedures, enhancing transparency, and creating a suitable environment for the growth of trade and investment in the country.
The meeting was also attended by Mr. Mirajan Solaimankhail, Deputy for Government Relations at ACCI; Mr. Enayatullah Sediqzai, Deputy of ACCI; and Mr. Haji Atiqullah , Member of the ACCI Board of Directors and one of the country’s prominent national traders.
The meeting concluded in a spirit of mutual understanding, cooperation, and goodwill, with both sides emphasizing the continuation of such meetings to address private sector challenges, improve the trade and investment environment, and strengthen cooperation between the government and the country’s business community.
