Afghan businesses discovered new opportunities to grow their businesses and apply for contracts and grants through the U.S. Government today from USAID and U.S. Embassy officials as part of an Afghan First Outreach Event at the InterContinental Hotel in Kabul.

The event allowed more than 100 Afghan businesses from across the country to meet representatives from USAID, the U.S. Military, the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. Government organizations. Local businesses will learn about the operations of eight different USAID offices and their upcoming contracting opportunities, as well as the procedure to participate in the bidding process.

The event was designed to promote the U.S. Government Afghan First policy – purchasing locally sourced goods and services whenever possible. Local procurement generates income and creates jobs, which develops the local economy. It also shrinks the supply chain and reduces costs for the buyer, a win-win situation. The event gave USAID and other U.S. government representatives networking opportunities with Afghan-owned businesses from across the country to ensure that Afghan First has both a regional and sectoral impact.

The Afghan First Outreach Event also provided a forum for local businesses to interact with USAID and other members of the Afghan business community. Each USAID presentation featured a question and answer session, and concluded with a networking luncheon.