KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani has said the UAE is eager to buy Afghanistan’s saffron and Azerbaijan is interested in Afghan almond, grapes and onion.
A statement from the Presidential Palace to Pajhwok Afghan News said President Ashraf Ghani met with Afghan traders based in the UAE and listened to their problems and suggestions during his trip to the gulf country on Sunday evening.
One of the Afghan traders in the UAE, Obaidullah Sadarkhel, who talked to the meeting, thanked Ghani for solving their problems and said insecurity and corruption in Afghanistan were major obstacles to their investment in their own country.
“The commission created for addressing traders’ problems under leadership of the second vice-president has been able to deal with the problems traders are facing to most extent,” he said.
Ibrahim Mohib, an investor in the UAE, explained problems in the banking sector in Afghanistan and provided his suggestions about their solutions to the president.
“Afghanistan banks face many problems and ignoring them would confront us with more challenges,” he said.
He suggested international oversight companies should be tasked with developing the banking sector in Afghanistan and preventing risks in the area.
Acting Finance Minister Dr. Mohammad Hamayon Qayum provided information about the government’s development and commercial plans to traders and said the finance ministry in cooperation with the country’s customs heads had identified main challenges to the country’s ports to find solutions to them.
He said the program for investment in agriculture, mines, energy and commerce prepared after the president’s order had now been launched and it was a great opportunity for Afghan traders.
President Ghani also talked to the meeting and appreciated Afghan traders’ efforts for playing their role in increasing Afghanistan exports.
“UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a meeting with me promised the UAE would buy Afghanistan saffron,” he said.
He said Azerbaijan had also showed readiness to buy Afghanistan almond, grapes and onion.
Ghani asked Afghan traders to use the opportunity in international markets particularly the UAE for Afghanistan products and invest in the area and define a clear target for Afghanistan exports.
He said important reforms in different government sectors were in effect and the process was ongoing.
Ghani said banking crisis had been created by the private sector, not by the government. Misuses caused the banking system weaken in the country.
Ghani also said monitoring the banking sector by international companies was important and the Ministry of Finance would work on the issue. (Pajhwok)