Press Release

New Training Center to Offer Skills Training to Municipal Officials and Businesses

Charikar, Parwan, Afghanistan  | Sunday, November 23, 2008

On November 23, the Charikar Municipality inaugurated the Charikar City Training Center to strengthen the skills of civil servants and provincial businesspeople.

The Training Center aims to strengthen the capacity of local government officials and businesses by providing education in multiple areas such as English language training and computer skills.  Improving these skills will help to build a sustainable economy within the greater Charikar area and to provide improved government services to residents.  The Center will also provide, through user fees, revenues to Charikar Municipality.

Currently, 19 municipal officials, including the Mayor, are using the services of the Training Center. One of the goals of the center is to broaden the capabilities of municipal officials to better meet the needs of their constituents through the provision of effective and efficient public services.

“I am really thankful to USAID for establishing this training center,” said Alhaj Ghullam Sediq, the Mayor of Charikar.  “In addition, I am thankful that all of my staff have been participating at this center, which has enhanced the image of municipality at the provincial, public, and community level.” He added, “I consider this effort as a good step in the improvement of revenue generation for our municipality by registering the school students and provincial business parties and charging monthly fees. “

The Charikar Municipality provided the space for the Training Center, while the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) renovated the training center; provided furnishings, equipment, and technical and financial assistance to start the program; and donated a facility to serve as storage space.