KABUL: In an attempt to find new markets for domestic products, 104 local companies exhibited their products at an expo in Kabul under the name of “It is the best, it is Afghan”. Members of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said research was needed to find out exactly what people need in terms of products, so as to cut down on imports.
“As a businessman I do not have sufficient information about the domestic needs of Afghanistan and which company imports which products and what are the levels of our domestic production; we need to formulate policies in this respect and we should have credible statistics about the market,” said Tawfiq Dawari, ACCI financial assistant.In addition, some businessmen have said that currently there are no statistics on what the domestic markets need and this has led to the increase of imports into the country. Talking on the implications of domestic production on the national economy, Humayoun Qayoumi, a presidential advisor, urged members of the public to start using domestically produced products.
“In government institutions, domestic products are used, on the basis of orders of the president – there is a 25 percent discount on contracts signed for domestic products,” said Qayoumi.
Nevertheless, some female businesswomen have said that the lack of proper markets has prevented their handicrafts from being sold in large numbers. Nazia Haidari is an Afghan woman who works in the handcraft industry.
She called on the Afghan government to boost marketing – especially for women’s handicrafts. There is no special markets for women; the government also does not support them; if we establish a permanent bazar, this would be very beneficial to women,” said Nazia Haidari.
“The policy of women’s economic empowerment, besides facilitating better working conditions, will also help them get access to resources, services and marketing to sell the products,” said Nabila Misbah, the deputy minister of women’s affairs for finance. Participants at the expo said that organizing such exhibitions can help develop domestic production.
“Alongside Afghan carpets, all domestic products help to further develop the economy of the country; such exhibitions help people get acquainted with domestic products,” said Ali Waseem, a visitor.
