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 Strategic
Goal: Facilitate and promote the development of a dynamic, competitive
private sector
The goal of the MoC is to work in partnership with the private sector to
revitalize and expand the formal economy - revitalizing traditional sectors
and promoting the development of new areas of competitive advantage.
Objectives:
1. Encourage the development of the formal economy
The extremely large illegal and informal shares of the economy put
legitimate domestic business at a competitive disadvantage, serve as a
disincentive to foreign investment, and reduce government revenues. The
Ministry is committed to encouraging the formalization of the economy as a
major contribution to the overall economic development of the country with a
particular emphasis on micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Ministry of Commerce will work with all related areas of government to
strengthen the institutions that impact private sector development within
the formal economy to create a level playing field; improving enforcement,
reducing bureaucracy and eliminating corruption.
2. Promote and facilitate domestic and foreign investment
The central role of the MoC is as policy maker and facilitator for direct
investment. The establishment of the Afghan Investment Support Agency (AISA)
in 2003 represented a major first step to facilitating investment in
Afghanistan. Established in 2003, AISA is a semi-autonomous agency which has
substantially streamlined the process faced by investors and will expand its
activities throughout the country.
To increase foreign investment, the Ministry will negotiate bilateral and
multilateral investment and tax agreements.
The Ministry is currently targeting the development of physical
infrastructure to enhance private sector development including industrial
parks and exhibition areas.
3. Encourage development of competitive and innovative enterprises to
increase exports and fulfill domestic demand
Enterprises must be competitive if they are to succeed in international and
domestic markets. Afghanistan has traditional areas of economic activity
which can be developed by making them more competitive, but it is equally
important to encourage innovation.
Following the AISA model of a semi-autonomous agency, the National Export
Promotion Agency will be the central implementing agency for export
promotion policies and activities. Although this initiative is still in the
early stages, the agency will serve as a source of market information,
promote Afghan products internationally, and work in close cooperation with
current and on-going private sector initiatives.
Relevant links and downloads:
Consultative Group for Trade and Investment (T&I CG)
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