Press Release

3rd Annual Kabul AgFair Draws Investment and Interest in Afghan Products

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Friday, August 22, 2008

The Kabul International Agricultural Fair on August 20-22 cut inroads for Afghan products into hard-to-penetrate foreign markets, helping Afghans once again make their exports known around the world.  Promoting Afghan products at home and abroad increases farm incomes, reduces prices for local consumers, and strengthens food security.

Over 50 business delegates from India, China, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and the United States participated in the AgFair to establish contacts and negotiate opportunities with Afghan businesses.  As many as 40,000 businessmen, women entrepreneurs, and members of the general public flocked to the fairgrounds to visit over 170 booths featuring fruits and nuts, vegetables, dairy products, carpets, and crafts during the three-day fair at the Badam Bagh Fairground in Kabul.

Mr. Naynesh Canak of Sulphus Mills Ltd., an agro-chemical company in India, called the Kabul International AgFair “awesome and totally unexpected,” adding that he was able to make initial arrangements with Afghan companies. “We were apprehensive about coming to Kabul but having seen this AgFair, I am attending the next trade fair in October in Mazar and hope to finalize the deals that I have started here or find other suppliers and buyers,” Mr. Canak said.

Businesses from the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and China were interested in sourcing out products that Afghanistan produces in export quality, such as fruits, nuts, and carpets.  Mr. Brian Wimmer of Ariana Global, a heavy machinery and construction equipment dealer based in the United States, cited the business forums and the seller-buyer matching sessions as very helpful in facilitating transactions.

In addition to facilitating new business transactions and relationships, the AgFair showcased contemporary agriculture technology and techniques to address food security challenges. Local producers gained information on agricultural technologies and farming techniques geared toward increasing food production. Irrigation technologies, greenhouses, grape trellises, and new crop varieties were also exhibited.

According to U.S. Ambassador William B. Wood at the AgFair opening ceremony, “By promoting public-private partnerships and helping farmers to obtain better seeds and fertilizers, AgFairs are already responding to President Karzai’s call to increase food production and reduce food insecurity.”

The event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Afghanistan Investment Support Agency; Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan; and supported by the United States Agency for International Development.