KABUL: Afghanistan and India are set to hold a joint trade and investment show in the Indian capital of New Delhi next week, as India seeks to step up its partnership with Afghanistan as a major investment partner. The trade show, sponsored by the US and hosted by India, will be inaugurated by Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah.
Abdullah will be accompanied by 200 businessmen from Afghanistan. During the tour, Abdullah will hold meetings with Indian officials on a number of issues including the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the economic sector, including the carpet industry and the establishment of a joint chamber of commerce and industries.
“At the meeting, discussions will be held on the implementation of Indian projects in various provinces across Afghanistan, it is better that the challenges and their solutions are also identified so that discussions are held on them at the appropriate time,” said Abdullah. Meanwhile, the US embassy in Afghanistan has announced that the trade and investment event is indicative of the US and India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s future.
“India-Afghanistan trade and investment show on September 27 and 28 in New Delhi demonstrates the strong US-India commitment to Afghanistan’s future, at the event government and private sector entities will join to announce and create opportunities for cross border business, a win win for all our countries,” said US ambassador to Afghanistan Hugo Llorens.
According to Abdullah, some US investors are also expected to participate at the event. Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has also welcomed the move and said it was a step forward in furthering the expansion of economic and trade relations between the two nations. The expansion of cooperation in the carpet industry, the expansion of Afghanistan’s exports to Indian markets and investments by Indian investors in the pharmaceutical sector in Afghanistan will be the main topics on the agenda at the meeting between Afghan and Indian officials, the ACCI chief Khan Jan Alokozai said.
“At the trade fair, Afghanistan’s products will be displayed including Afghan carpets; we are trying to engage in talks with the private sector in India for further expansion of commercial relations,” said Khan Jan Alokozai, deputy head of ACCI.
In addition to this, a number of industrialists have said that in order for Afghanistan’s exports to reach global markets, it would help if India opened a permanent center for Afghan products to be showcased.
Abdullah will also meet with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and NSA Ajit Doval among others while in India.
