AFGHANISTAN:

Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

PAST EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Second Afghanistan International Carpet Fair -- Kabul, Afghanistan

October 26 - 28, 2008

The Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan will host the Second Afghanistan International Carpet Fair in Kabul, Afghanistan at the Serena Hotel from October 26 – 28, 2008.

The International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce is organizing a U.S. rug/carpet business trade mission to the International Carpet Fair. The trade mission will assist U.S. businesses with exploring trade and investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s rug sector. Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Force Director Susan Hamrock Mann will lead the delegation of U.S.-based companies who have expressed interested in pursuing business in Afghanistan’s rug sector.

The mission will include participation in the Carpet Fair, matchmaking, and a potential site visit to a rug production facility. The mission will reaffirm the U.S. Government’s support towards bilateral relations and seek to expand opportunities for U.S. companies in Afghanistan.

To learn more about the 2nd Afghanistan International Carpet Fair Trade Mission, please contact the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force at (202) 482-1812 or visit the Federal Register notice at: http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=0685161515+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve.

October 21st,2008

PAST EVENTS

OPIC Investment Conference: Access to Opportunity in The Middle East

May 5–7, 2008 - Dead Sea, Jordan
As a supportive tool for private sectors looking for investment opportunities in emerging markets, including Iraq and Afghanistan, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will hold an international investment conference on May 5 – 7, 2008 at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, Dead Sea, Jordan. This is an excellent opportunity to explore investment prospects in the region presented by leading investment experts, U.S. businesses currently investing in the Middle East, financial institutions operating in the region and U.S. government officials. This conference also serves as an opportunity to learn more about the formation of joint ventures and partnerships between U.S. and local businesses and gain support for new investments. Speakers will focus on access to credit housing, infrastructure, and investment opportunities in tourism, information technology, franchising and energy. For more information, please visit the event website.

Afghanistan International Carpet Fair

August 26-28, 2007 – Kabul, Afghanistan
This fair will bring together Afghan carpet producers and exporters with international buyers and investors. This event will be sponsored by the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan. For further details please contact: Mr. Yahya Akhlaqi.

Private Sector Roundtable Discussion with Afghan Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development:

April 21, 2008 – Washington, DC
On April 21, 2008, the Afghan Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, H.E. Minister Ehsan Zia will speak at a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Minister Zia will give a presentation on the new “ Afghan Rural Enterprise Development Program,” which presents potential on investment opportunities in rural Afghanistan, and will be giving an industry briefing to companies interested in investing in this sector. The event is scheduled to take place from 2:00 p.m. – 3 p.m. This event is open to businesses interested in investing in Afghanistan's rural sector or supplying it with products ranging from the agro-business sector to housing and construction. For more information please contact the AIRTF at afghaninfo@mail.doc.gov or call our hotline at (202) 482-1812. Event Announcement

Spotlight on Afghanistan’s Minerals at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference

March 3-4, 2008 – Toronto, Canada

The Afghan Ministry of Mining (MoM), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force (AIRTF) showcased Afghanistan’s Mineral resources at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference and Trade Show in Toronto, March 3-4. Of particular highlight was the announcement that MoM will be tendering for the world-class Hajigak iron deposit in the next 6 months. Mr. Stephen G. Peters, USGS, and Adam Choppin, AIRTF, also presented to the PDAC/CAMESE Exhibitors Innovation Forum on Monday, March 3 on Afghanistan’s mineral resources and business climate.

For further information about participating in Afghanistan’s exciting, untapped mining sector, contact the Afghanistan Task Force via email or call us at: (202) 482-1812.

Afghan Inspirations: Rug Renaissance, Coveted Traditions

January 28–February 1, 2008
Las Vegas, Nevada
www.lasvegasmart.com

A delegation of 10 Afghan rug businesses exhibited their products at the 2008 Las Vegas Market at the World Center Market in Las Vegas, Nevada. The market is a semiannual event devoted to furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, and home textiles.

The Afghan delegation participated in a special exhibit at the show, “Afghan Inspirations: Rug Renaissance, Coveted Traditions,” created by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force in conjunction with the Afghan Ministry of Commerce’s Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan, the Afghan Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Afghanistan was long recognized as a global leader in the production of hand-woven carpets, using centuries old weaving techniques passed down through generations. The country’s resources, including its domestic supply of wool and natural dyes, helped to make the Afghan hand-woven rug a national treasure.

Afghanistan is now reasserting its revered carpet industry, which is proving to be a key element in the country’s economic reconstruction. Under the Generalized System of Preferences trade program, Afghan rugs can be imported into the United States duty free.

This was the third U.S. visit by Afghan rug producers sponsored by the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force. Previous visits were to the AmericasMart in Atlanta, Georgia, in January 2007 and a multicity tour in July 2006. For more information on the Las Vegas Market and the exhibit of Afghan rugs, contact our office at: AfghanInfo@mail.doc.gov.

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Promotional Flyer

US-Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference 2007

November 11-13, 2007

The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), in cooperation with the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC), presented the 2007 US-Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference from November 11-13 in Washington, D.C. The conference was a great place for attendees to learn more about exciting investment opportunities in Afghanistan, meet representatives of Afghan companies, as well as gain exposure in the AACC Trade Fair. Business sectors such as construction and materials, agribusiness and food processing, energy and infrastructure, and many more were well represented.

Afghanistan International Carpet Fair: Trade Mission

August 26-28, 2007

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez’s priorities for Afghanistan include helping the country develop three sectors in which it has a comparative advantage: rugs, dried fruits and nuts, and mining. The International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce is organizing a U.S. rug business carpet trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan for the Afghanistan International Carpet Fair on August 26-28, 2007. The mission will assist U.S. rug businesses exploring trade and investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s rug sector. Assistant Secretary David Bohigian will lead a delegation of U.S.-based executives of U.S. firms interested in pursuing business in Afghanistan’s rug sector. The mission will include participation in the Carpet Fair, matchmaking, and a potential site visit to a rug production facility. The mission will reaffirm the U.S. Government’s support towards bilateral relations and seek to expand opportunities for U.S. companies in Afghanistan.
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Mission Statement
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U.S. – Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference 2006

October 29-31, 2006

The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce held their annual U.S. – Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference 2006 in Washington, D.C. at the Four Seasons Hotel from October 29th through October 31st, 2006. The event, the largest U.S.-based investment and business conference focused on Afghanistan, was a follow-up to the successful 2005 Matchmaking Conference.

The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency Presents Investing in Afghanistan: The Heart of Asia

October 29-November 8, 2006

From October 29th through November 8th, 2006, the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) and the Economic, Trade and Investment Department of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC, held their second annual investment promotion road show of AISA in North America. The road show focused on investing and doing business in Afghanistan in sectors specific to local interests. The road show visited Washington, DC for the second annual Afghan Business Matchmaking Conference; Des Moines, IA for the Agriculture and Agro-processing sector; Los Angeles, CA for the IT and Telecommunication sector; Toronto, Canada for the Energy and Mining sectors; and New York, NY for the Construction and Finance and Insurance sectors.

First Afghan Rug Delegation Visits the United States

July 15-22, 2006

Afghan Ambassador Said T. Jawad, Commerce Assistant Secretary David Bohigian, and the Afghan delegation of rug producers and traders at the Afghan Embassy on July 19. (DOC Photo)

The Commerce Department, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, organized the first-ever delegation of Afghan rug producers to the United States as an effort to help strengthen the economic development of Afghanistan and commercial ties between the United States and Afghanistan. Between July 15 and July 22, 10 Afghan producers and traders of hand-made rugs went to Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC, Secaucus, NJ, and New York, NY to meet with importers and buyers and received training on issues such as colors and trends in the home, logistics, and how to exhibit at trade shows.

In Atlanta, the delegation participated in the Atlanta International Area Rug Market where they met with rug importers and received training. In Washington, DC, the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce hosted a dinner for the delegation where Commerce Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink gave a keynote address where he shared his expertise based on decades in the rug and carpet industry. The Afghan Embassy hosted a reception and one-on-one meetings for the Afghans where speakers included Afghan Ambassador Said T. Jawad, Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance David Bohigian, and Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. Additional meetings in Washington included the Washington Design Center and the Textile Museum. The delegation ended the trip in the New York City area where they met with importers at the Oriental Rug Importers Center of America in Secaucus, NJ and large retailers in New York City.

For information about the delegation, read the brochure (200KB PDF only) that proflies each member as well as the Web site www.afghancarpet2usa.com that includes photos of the rugs.

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez addressed the Afghan rug delegation and attendees at a reception at the Afghan Embassy on July 19. Mrs. Shamim Jawad, wife of the Afghan Ambassador, and Afghan Embassy Commercial Attaché Khaleda Atta are to the left and right of the Secretary respectively. (DOC Photo)

Afghan Ambassador Said T. Jawad and Commerce Assistant Secretary David Bohigian show a rug brought by one of the delegates from Afghanistan at an event hosted by the Afghan Embassy on July 19. (DOC Photo)

Secretary Gutierrez's Trip to Kabul Highlights U.S.-Afghan Commercial Relationship

February 28, 2006

On February 28, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, reinforcing the long-term commitment of the United States to work with the Afghan people to create economic opportunities and develop a private sector that will drive Afghanistan's economic growth. Secretary Gutierrez also met with members of Parliament, representatives of cabinet ministries and U.S. and Afghan companies in a roundtable on trade, investment and private sector development. He discussed opportunities for enhancing the U.S.-Afghan commercial relationship by creating business linkages between U.S. and Afghan companies.
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Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez speaks to Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on February 28, 2006.
 

London Donors Conference

February 2, 2006

Government representatives from about 60 countries and international organizations pledged more that $10.5 billion over the next five years at the donors conference in London on January 31 and February 1. At this conference, the Afghanistan Compact (PDF only) was launched, which outlines the strategy to accelerate development, increase security, tackle the drug trade, and strengthen governance in Afghanistan over the next five years.
 

Afghan Partner Opportunities

October 7,2005

On October 3 and 4, 2005, the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce and Afghan International Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, organized a U.S.-Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference in Arlington, Virginia, where over 30 Afghan companies presented business and investment opportunities to U.S. companies. Read about these business and investment opportunities here (PDF only).
 

Afghanistan Business Gateway

October 6, 2005

The Afghan Embassy launched Afghanistan Business Gateway, an on-line resource where investors and companies can access information on trade, investment, and tourism in Afghanistan. This includes a database where businesses enter their company information on the site and can be linked with other businesses as potential partners.

President Karzai Meets with President Bush, Secretary Gutierrez, and U.S. Businesses

May 23, 2005

On May 23, 2005, President Karzai met with President Bush and signed a Joint Declaration of the United States-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership that includes encouraging the involvement of U.S. businesses in ventures that accelerate the development of Afghan firms and the private sector. The following day, President Karzai and Commerce Secretary Gutierrez discussed bilateral economic relations and addressed about 35 companies interested in rebuilding Afghanistan at a roundtable hosted by the Commerce Department.