The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan(IEA), Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund along with the Afghan mission set his official tour to Turkey on August 8, 2023, that came to an end on August 14, 2023. The visit was aimed at driving economic engagements with Turkey.
In correspondence to that, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan(IEA) met the Turkish Foreign Minister, Turkish Minister of Trade and renowned Turkish and Afghan entrepreneurs who invest in businesses worldwide.
Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister
The meetings kicked off on 10 August, when the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of IEA met with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan.
During the meeting, both parties exchanged words on enhancing bilateral relations, fostering trade, promoting regional connectivity, and fostering economic cooperation between the two nations.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed on enhancing trade relations with Turkey and in this regard proposed to establish collaborative trade chambers and an air corridor between the two countries.
Furthermore, the facilitation of visa issuance for Afghan citizens and well well-being of Afghan refugees residing within Turkish borders were also stressed by the Deputy Prime Minister.
In response, the Turkish Foreign Minister assured to amplify trade between the two countries and to encourage Turkish investors to participate in Afghanistan’s development.
Meeting with Chairman of DEİK
After meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of IEA embarked on a meeting with Afghan and Turkish investors.
In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of IEA met with the chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK), Nail OLPAK, along with prominent Turkish business figures on August 11.
The meeting was attended by numerous Afghan and Turkish investors, distinguished leaders and delegates from major Turkish and global enterprises.
The meeting was attended by delegates from companies that possess expertise in regional and global infrastructure development, mineral extraction and processing, agricultural mechanization, power generation, railway network construction, pharmaceuticals, food production, telecommunications, trade, and tourism.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs in the meeting assured Afghan and Turkish investors of a promising investment climate in Afghanistan.
He emphasized that a solidified foundation of investment has been laid by enhancing the security measures in Afghanistan.
Lastly, he appraised the Islamic Emirate’s efforts in facilitating investments across areas of mining, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, industry, communication, trade, and other diverse sectors.
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Addressing at a conference
In an effort to engage with the investors, the next day the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs of IEA addressed a conference organized by the Afghan expatriate investors in Turkey.
He at the outset of his address highlighted that Afghanistan after being freed from foreign occupation has achieved comprehensive security.
He added that with the re-establishment of IEA, security has been reinstated, enabling both Afghan and foreign investors and traders to pursue their business endeavours within a secure environment.
In highlighting the measures taken by the IEA to develop a favourable investment climate in Afghanistan, Abdul Ghani Baradar shed light on the actions taken against corruption, illicit drug cultivation, and smuggling.
He added that the production of opium was eradicated to make way for the expansion of wheat, cotton, and other agricultural produce.
He notified that in the year 2023, Afghanistan’s exports have doubled to the account of two billion dollars in comparison to the previous years.
He further highlighted the decision to exempt tax penalties for industrialists made by Amir Ul Momineen Sheikh Sahib.
Furthermore, he stated that efforts are underway to further increase the electricity production and finalize pending electrical projects. Simultaneously, industrial parks have been developed.
In addition to that, taxes on raw materials are reduced, and the rehabilitation of highways to catalyze business growth has started which will facilitate the transit of goods from Central Asia to South Asia.
Besides that he stated that under the guidance of Amir Ul Momineen Sheikh Sahib, the establishment of Afghanistan’s National Economic Advisory Board is in progress, ensuring the inclusion of businesspersons and investors.
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Further, to stimulate domestic production, import taxes have been heightened for products that are domestically manufactured, coupled with exhibitions showcasing Afghan products domestically and abroad.
He asserted that Afghanistan belongs to all Afghans, transcending geographical location, ethnicity, or linguistic biases and appealed to all Afghans, national entrepreneurs, industrialists, and investors residing in Turkey and worldwide to engage in diverse sectors of investment within Afghanistan.
Meeting with the Turkish Minister of Trade
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of IEA then met with the Turkish Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat on August 12.
The meeting concentrated on the matters of trade, investment, regional connectivity, and the advancement of economic collaboration between the two nations.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of IEA elaborated on the augmentation of trade ties with Turkey, the promotion of investments in industrial zones and the nurturing of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Also, he advocated for the establishment of an air corridor and joint chamber of commerce.
In response to that, the Turkish Minister of Trade reaffirmed to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of IEA that all relevant agencies will collaborate in the expansion of bilateral trade and the facilitation of investments from Turkish sources into Afghanistan.
Meeting with the President of MÜSİAD
Finally, Abdul Ghani Baradar met with the President of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD), Mahmut Asmalı.
The gathering was attended not only by Afghan entrepreneurs and Turkish investors, but also by executives and representatives from prominent companies across diverse sectors such as construction materials, power generation, telecommunications, infrastructure development, dams, agriculture, and logistics.
The Deputy Prime Minister provided assurance of a secure and facilitated investment environment in Afghanistan to the investors.
In that course, Mahmut Asmali urged the attending investors to explore various sectors of investment in Afghanistan.
The six-day visit by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs along with the Afghan mission to Turkey summed up on August 14.
The whole visit was aimed at engrossing investments and to familiarize the investors with favourable environment for investment in IEA.
