Press Release

Regional Fair promotes agro-industry, trade

150 vendors sell their goods at the Jalalabad Agro-Industrial Trade Fair

Jalalabad, Afghanistan | Saturday, October 25, 2008

Today, thousands of farmers, livestock owners, businessmen, women entrepreneurs, Government representatives, and visitors will come together for Jalalabad’s third annual Agro-Industrial Trade Fair.

The Fair will host more than 150 vendors representing companies from eastern region and around Afghanistan in various sectors including livestock, fruit and vegetables, input supplies, agro-processing, handicrafts, textiles, manufacturers, traders, importers, and exporters.

The Fair will also feature business roundtables designed to promote trade ties between provinces and countries, and to provide a forum for visitors to learn from one another about different business processes and strategies. There will also be cultural events throughout the two-day Fair, where visitors and participants will have opportunities to compete in contests, win prizes, and have fun.

A number of regional public and private institutions are working together to make the event a success. The Nangarhar Directorate of Agriculture and the eastern region office of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries are co-hosting the fair, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The event is being held at Sherzai Stadium, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Nangarhar, HE Gul Agha Sherzai. The Governor’s office has lent substantial logistical support to the event. The Municipality of Jalalabad, headed by Mayor Lal Agha Kaker, is also contributing logistics and staff.

HE Gul Agha Sherzai commented on the significance of the event, “The 2008 Jalalabad Agro-Industrial Trade Fair is an important effort to bring together many different people from all over Afghanistan, to establish trade ties, and continue building a strong licit agricultural sector for eastern region. By building market linkages for farmers and other producers, and working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, we can incorporate even the most vulnerable citizens into the economy, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable future for Afghanistan.”

The Fair will last for two days, and is expected to be broadcast live via Nangarhar RTA TV and radio.

In 2006, Jalalabad was home to the first agro-industrial trade fair in eastern Afghanistan, attracting more than 11,000 visitors. In 2007, the event grew to more than 15,000 visitors, with export companies from Dubai, Uzbekistan, and India forging links with eastern region businesses.

Learn more: Agriculture | Alternative Development | Economic Growth

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