DUSHANBE, March 10, 2015, Asia-Plus — Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), a regional meeting to discuss perspectives of trade and economic relations of Afghanistan with Central Asian countries, as well as, issues of economic cooperation and future directions for the implementation of regional and bilateral trade and economic projects is taking place in Almaty, Kazakhstan from March 10-12. .
Within the framework of the project “Strengthening Trade and Economic Ties between Afghanistan and Its Neighboring Countries”, funded by the Russian Federation, ESCAP Regional Dialogue “Strengthening Trade and Economic Ties between Afghanistan and Central Asia” is the final meeting within the framework of the project, Strengthening Economic Ties between Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries”, implemented by ESCAP.
ESCAP Regional Dialogue seeks to support Afghanistan’s economic development by promoting economic ties, reduce barriers to trade, increase interest and joint activities between entrepreneurs of Afghanistan, Central Asia and Russia, which will strengthen trade and result in local production and job creation for sustainable development. The meeting will focus on identifying possible regional economic projects, which could be implemented by joint efforts of entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and neighboring countries. The primary economic outcome for Afghanistan should be in creating local jobs and basis for local taxation.
The expected accomplishments include: strengthened economic ties; reduced trade and transport barriers; and increased joint activities between entrepreneurs of Afghanistan, Central Asia and Russia resulting in increased trade, local production and employment.
The first workshop entitled “Strengthening trade and economic relations between Afghanistan and Central Asia” was held on November 14-15, 2012 in Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan. The workshop discussed the following questions: issues of economic cooperation and future directions for the implementation of regional and bilateral trade and economic projects in Central Asia, and Russia, for the economic development of Afghanistan; main barriers to trade between Afghanistan and Central Asian countries; participation of the business community in Afghanistan”s economic development and employment generation; and perspective and effective areas of investments in regional and bilateral economic projects.
About 50 senior Government officials, members of parliament, experts and private business representatives from Afghanistan’s capital and various provinces, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russian Federation participated in the workshop. Special attention was given to attracting women participants.
Established in 1947, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP or ESCAP), is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, under the administrative direction of the United Nations headquarters. ESCAP has 53 member States and nine Associate members. As well as countries in Asia and the Pacific, it includes France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. ESCAP”s regional focus is managing globalization through programs in environmentally sustainable development, trade, and human rights.
