KABUL: The High Economic Council (HEC) of Afghanistan with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the chair held a session and discussed different issues, including ministries’ performances in line with endorsement of the council, investment on carpet industry, women’s economic empowerment, assigning of a specific place for dried fruit market and Singapore training programs for government employees, a statement said.
According to presidential office, at the outset a report was presented on ministries’ performances in line with decisions of the high economic council, adding the president instructed the line ministries to prepare their report of performances based on the council’s decisions within one week.
Afterward, the draft on establishment of Afghanistan’s handmade carpet factory was presented by Eng. Sayed Abbas, one of the country’s businessmen, adding transformation of the traditional way of carpet weaving into modern one, employment, increase in production, exportation of Afghan carpet and training of the people in line with carpet weaving make the main goals of the draft.
Eng. Sayed Abbas went on saying the factory would create job opportunities to 6000 women and around 2100 carpet weaving centers would be established. According to him, Afghanistan’s Rug and Carpet center with already purchased machinery intends to invest 3 million USD to establish the first Afghan handmade carpet weaving factory at the total areas of 32 acres of land in Kabul industrial park.
Hinting on importance of the carpet industry, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah said government supports the draft, adding the environment issue needs to be also considered. Meanwhile, pointing to establishing of the carpet exhibition and market, the first deputy to chief executive Eng. Mohammad Khan called for urgent attention to carpet industry, adding Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commence could ease the process.
Minister of Commerce Homayoun Rassa told the session that the ministry has closely worked with the said company, adding 1500 samples of the carpet need to be purchased so that to attract exporters and find market for the Afghan carpet. He said the aim behind the draft is to institutionalize the traditional Afghan carpet.
Qudratullah Delawari head of the Breshna Sherkat said the Afghan carpet is famous for its handmade style, adding industrial machinery would affect its identity.
The president said that government doesn’t have proper marketing experiences, asking the private sector to play its key role in the said sector. Later, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyred and Disabled presented a draft on women’s economic empowerment. Minister Nasrin Oriakhel said the draft has been prepared in line with government’s vision, adding it aims to promote gender equality during the recruitment process.
The session also discussed training programs in Singapore, with the president saying those who have the capability of learning the skills should be introduced.
