On August 22, Kabul Mayor Mohammad Younus Nawandish, U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and USAID Deputy Mission Director John Atteberry re-opened the Foroshgah-E-Borzorg Shopping Center in Kabul, which was severely damaged in a bombing by insurgents on January 18. The reconstruction of the shopping center began in February with the help of the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Military.
In May, Mayor Nawandish and Ambassador Eikenberry also announced a grant distribution program for the Foroshgah-e-Borzorg shopkeepers. The grants were part of an assistance program through USAID to help shopkeepers at the shopping center restock their inventories after suffering tremendous loss due to the bombing. The U.S. Government provided 81 grants, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each, to the shopkeepers.
At the ceremony, Mayor Nawandish thanked the people of the United States for helping rebuild the shopping center to help spur economic and retail growth in the city. “The City of Kabul appreciates all the support from the people of United States in general,” said Mayor Nawandish. “I am also thankful for the people of United States and their support of the Foroshgah Shopping Center at this critical time.”