Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, led a delegation of the Chamber’s leadership to Helmand Province, where he attended and addressed an economic program organized at the initiative of the Helmand Chamber of Commerce and Investment. In his remarks, he emphasized supporting domestic production, expanding exports, strengthening investment, and making effective use of Helmand’s economic potential.
The delegation accompanying him included Mr. Enayatullah Seddiqzai, Deputy for Services; Mr. Abdul Nafi Barakzai, Deputy for Supporting Domestic Production and Products; Mr. Mirajan Sulaimankhail, Deputy for Policy and Government Relations; Mr. Habibullah Omar, Deputy for Cultural and Social Affairs; and Board members Mr. Yahya Pashtoon, Mr. Abdul Ahad Khan, Chairman of the Kandahar Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Ahmad Masoud Rahat, and Mr. Bahauddin Khan, Chairman of the Chamber.
The program was attended by the head of the Breshna Company, a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Governor of Helmand, government and local officials, the chairpersons and members of the Helmand and Kandahar Chambers of Commerce and Investment, religious scholars, tribal elders, traders, and investors.
In his speech, Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi described Helmand as one of Afghanistan’s important provinces, with extensive agricultural and economic potential. He stressed the need to make effective use of these capacities, particularly in the production of cotton, fresh fruits, and other agricultural products. He noted that developing these sectors could increase domestic production, expand exports, create employment opportunities, and improve the economic well-being of local communities.
Highlighting the importance of developing the value chain of agricultural products, the ACCI Chairman stated that sustainable economic growth requires greater investment in processing, standard packaging, storage, transportation, and marketing. He also emphasized the need to strengthen coordination and cooperation between government institutions and the private sector. According to him, creating favorable conditions for producers and exporters to access domestic and international markets is essential for expanding trade and increasing the value of Afghan products.
Mr. Hashemi identified supporting domestic production, facilitating business activities, removing barriers to investment, and expanding exports as key priorities of ACCI. He emphasized that the growth of the private sector and support for traders, investors, and producers can play an effective role in reducing unemployment and poverty, creating job opportunities, and strengthening the national economy.
He further explained that the purpose of the visit and the meeting with Helmand’s business community was to hear directly about the challenges, proposals, and views of traders and investors and to explore practical solutions for improving the business and investment environment. He stressed that ACCI would continue, within the framework of its responsibilities, to reflect the concerns of the private sector, follow up on the legitimate demands of the business community, and strengthen coordination with relevant institutions.
The ACCI Chairman expressed hope that, through cooperation with the Governor of Helmand, local authorities, the Helmand and Kandahar Chambers of Commerce and Investment, and other relevant institutions, better opportunities would be created to support domestic production, expand exports of cotton, fresh fruits, and other Afghan products, and broaden trade and investment activities.
During the program, several officials and representatives of various institutions also shared their views, proposals, and existing challenges concerning trade, production, investment, and economic activities in Helmand. The exchange of views provided an opportunity to strengthen coordination between government officials and the business community and to explore practical approaches to the province’s economic development.
At the conclusion of the program, ACCI extended its sincere appreciation for the warm welcome, generous hospitality, and valuable cooperation of Mr. Haji Yahya Pashtoon, ACCI Board member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Helmand Chamber of Commerce and Investment; the Office of the Governor of Helmand; the respected Mayor; provincial officials; traders and investors of the province; and the members of the Board of Directors and Executive Board of the Helmand Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
The leadership of ACCI regarded this warm reception and cooperation as a reflection of a shared commitment to strengthening the private sector, supporting domestic production, and developing trade and investment. It expressed hope that continued cooperation of this kind would help promote economic growth, increase exports, and create greater opportunities for the people and business community of Afghanistan.
