Press Release

Local Businesses Mentor Young Professionals

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Monday, December 01, 2008

On Thursday, November 27, 48 young professionals graduated from a six-month business mentorship program in Kandahar City, Kandahar. 

Mentors, drawn from the local senior business executive population, dispensed valuable advice to younger professionals eager to expand their practical business knowledge and eventually reach business leadership positions themselves.  The ten participating mentors came from notable organizations, including the Afghanistan International Bank (AIB), Health Net Co., Network Technologies, Arakozai Afghan Advertising, and the Kandahar Statistics Department.  One mentor commented that “These young professionals are key assets for the development of our private sector and our country.  Building their capacity will really impact economic growth.” 

Feedback from participating mentees was similarly positive.  As one participant observed, “The program was very rewarding, because the outputs of the program will really help in building my professional career, as I provide meaningful contribution through services to the private sector of Afghanistan.” 

The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organized this program and have pledged their ongoing support for mentorship programs that contribute to the creation of a skilled, experienced Afghan workforce.  As a result of this collaboration and vision, mentorship activities have produced similarly positive results in Kabul, Herat, and Balkh provinces.  This structured guidance from today’s business leaders is critical in empowering future leaders to further Afghanistan’s national development.