KABUL - A policy of encouraging entrepreneurs was approved by the High Economic Council (HEC) on Thursday, the Presidential Palace said on Thursday.

Covering construction, agriculture, development, export and mining sectors, the policy was prepared by the Ministries of Finance and Commerce and Industries.

Valid until the end of 2014, the investor-luring strategy was discussed at an HEC meeting, chaired by President Hamid Karzai, a statement from his office said.

Providing more facilities for investors, the policy was approved and extended by another year till the end of 2015, the statement said.

The main objective is to encourage private sector investment in Afghanistan, prevention capital flight, creating work opportunities and addressing public concerns about the future.

Economy Minister Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal shared with participants salient features of a new policy aimed at sustainable economic development, stability, poverty alleviation and social justice.

The council also approved the economic policy with an implementing mechanism and ordered the Ministries of Finance and Commerce to enforce the course of action. (Pajhwok)