Afghanistan seeks India’s help in farm produce trade

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The Afghanistan government on Tuesday urged the Indian government and investors to utilise the trade opportunities in the agricultural sector of the country and sought assistance in marketing, packaging and processing of goods to boost its economy.

"Developing business to business relationships between Afghan producers and Indian retail and direct wholesale markets for our agricultural products will be critical for sustaining private sector business during the years ahead," Abdul Qadeer Jawad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan, said here.

He was speaking at a conference 'Made in Afghanistan' held under the aegis of Confidence Building Measure (CBM) of the 'Heart of Asia' process for Rebuilding Afghanistan.

Jawad requested the investors to take "advantage" of the investment opportunities that agriculture offers in his country.

"We are looking for potential investors in areas such as processing of dry fruits and nuts, processing and cotton yarn production, establishment of cold chains and supply chains while in packaging the potential areas were fresh and dry fruit boxes, jars, lids, tins, glass and plastic bottles, tetra pack packaging etc.," he said.

"In trading and marketing, investment opportunities exist in transport and logistics services such as cargo villages inside airports, trade partnership building services, marketing and branding services."

The conference, organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) also hosted an exhibition in which entrepreneurs from Afghanistan showcased their skilled products, dry fruits and stone-work objects.

The Afghan government has also coordinated with the civil aviation authority to establish a cargo village at Kabul Airport, he said.

"The cargo village would further help in trade facilitation. It will help in establishment of a huge cold storage facility with a capacity of over 10,000 metric tons," Jawad said.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) and Afghanistan Women Business Federation to help develop the entrepreneurship opportunities for Afghan women in India.

"The 'Heart of Asia' process was a shining example of Indian engagement with the Afghanistan and this will make a significant contribution to rebuilding Afghanistan and bring peace and stability in the entire region," Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Afghan envoy in India said.