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The Enabling Environment Conference in Afghanistan

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Overview Paper and Background Materials

The Overview Paper presents a synthesis of issues and the findings of the Conference preparatory process. It draws on the Background Materials, which include the Background Papers, Case Studies and the summary of the Roundtable Discussions, which participants should consult these materials for a deeper treatment of particular issues.

Participants are encouraged to download the Overview Paper and the full set of Background Materials prior to the Conference.

Conference Overview

Overview PaperOverview Paper
Prepared for the Enabling Environment Conference
English, Dari




Background Papers

Lack of Access to EnergyLack of Access to Energy
The World Bank Group
English, Dari

The Operating Environment for Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Afghanistan: Enabling or Disabling?The Operating Environment for Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Afghanistan: Enabling or Disabling?
Saeed Parto, Anna Paterson and Asif Karimi, Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit 
English, Dari                                                                                     

Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Nurturing an Enabling Environment for SME Development in AfghanistanUnleashing Entrepreneurship: Nurturing an Enabling Environment for SME Development in Afghanistan
UNDP Afghanistan
English, Dari                                                                                      

Challenges of Access to Financial ServicesChallenges of Access to Financial Services
The World Bank with Asian Development Bank
English, Dari                           

Lack of Access to EnergyLack of Human Capacity in the Public and Private Sectors
Dr. Sarah Lister
English, Dari                                                        

Challenges Presented by the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Private For-Profit ActivityChallenges Presented by the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Private For-Profit Activity
Altai Consulting
English, Dari

Challenges Presented by the Legal, Regulatory, Administrative and Fiscal Framework Governing Civil SocietyChallenges Presented by the Legal, Regulatory, Administrative and Fiscal Framework Governing Civil Society
Dr. Leon E. Irish and Professor Karla W. Simon, International Center for Civil Society Law     
English, Dari                         

Potential for Public Private Partnerships in AfghanistanPotential for Public Private Partnerships in Afghanistan
Michael Barrow and Martin Tornberg, Private Sector Operations Department, Asian Development Bank
English, Dari

Corporate Social Responsibility: Business and Civil Society Working TogetherCorporate Social Responsibility: Business and Civil Society Working Together
Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy
English, Dari

 


Case Studies

Government and the Private Sector Working Together to Create the Afghan Telecommunications IndustryGovernment and the Private Sector Working Together to Create the Afghan Telecommunications Industry
English, Dari

The Afghanistan Beverage Industries Limited: CristalThe Afghanistan Beverage Industries Limited: “Cristal”
English, Dari

Essential Oils and Natural Perfumes: A Rural Development Opportunity in Afghanistan: Gulestan Ariana CompanyEssential Oils and Natural Perfumes: A Rural Development Opportunity in Afghanistan: Gulestan Ariana Company
English, Dari

Socially Responsible Economic Development: The Shamali Model FarmsSocially Responsible Economic Development: The Shamali Model Farms
English, Dari

Public-Private Partnerships in Economic Development: The New Baghlan Sugar CompanyPublic-Private Partnerships in Economic Development: The New Baghlan Sugar Company
English, Dari

Helping Afghanistan’s Street Working Children: AschianaHelping Afghanistan’s Street Working Children: Aschiana
English, Dari            

The Rapid Expansion of Dried Fruit and Nuts Exports: The Kabul Dried Fruit and Nuts Consortium and Angaza LimitedThe Rapid Expansion of Dried Fruit and Nuts Exports: The Kabul Dried Fruit and Nuts Consortium and Angaza Limited
English, Dari

Expanding the Outreach of Financial Services: The Experience of Financial InstitutionsExpanding the Outreach of Financial Services: The Experience of Financial Institutions
English, Dari






Round Table Consultations
Round Table Consultations
 
English, Dari (PDF)


A series of roundtable consultations were held across Afghanistan and overseas with the Afghan private sector and diaspora communities. They were organised by the Aga Khan Development Network and the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA). There were six events held in Kabul, Jalalabad, Herat and Mazar e-Shariff (small- and medium-sized enterprises); with the Foundation for Culture and Civil Society (domestic civil society organisations); with the Government of Afghanistan (Afghan businesses in Kabul); and with the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Afghan Diaspora in Toronto and Hamburg).


Summary of Discussions

Summary of Discussions
 
English (PDF)


The Enabling Environment Conference brought together leaders and decision-makers from the Afghan Government and National Assembly, the international community, Afghan and international private for-profit businesses and non-profit civil society, development agencies and subject experts. With participation exceeding 300, it succeeded in providing a forum for open discussion and creative problem-solving, drawing on Afghan and relevant regional and international experiences. The "Summary of Discussions" provides the highlights of speeches, discussions and roundtables held over the two days of the conference.


Conference Statement and Road Map

Conference Statement and Road Map

 
English, Dari (PDF)


The Conference on the Enabling Environment for Effective Private Sector Contribution to Development in Afghanistan took place in Kabul on the 4th and 5th of June, 2007. It focused on creating the conditions necessary to significantly increase the contribution of the private sector - defined as both for-profit business and not-for profit civil society - to social, economic, and cultural development in Afghanistan’s urban and rural areas. At the conclusion of the conference, parties agreed to the conference statement, which includes a series of recommendations, and a roadmap for actions ranging from legal and fiscal frameworks to human resources and public-private partnerships.



A Policy for Private Sector Growth and Development

A Policy for Private Sector Growth and Development

 
English (PDF)


Paper by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)

"The Government’s primary goal in encouraging the accelerated growth and development of the private sector is to substantially increase employment and to raise incomes, especially of the poor."
   


Media Resources and Online Press Kit

The creation of an enabling environment is expected to move Afghanistan from a climate of fragility to one of confidence in the future, leading to economic development and job creation, social progress and improved quality of life of the Afghan people and a vibrant and engaged civil society.

Press Release - 6 June 2007
Press Release - 4 June 2007
Photos of 4 June 2007
Media Advisory - 1 June 2007 (PDF)

Videos
Afghanistan
Africa
Bangladesh
Vietnam

Speech Transcripts
His Highness the Aga Khan: English and Dari (PDF)
Prince Amyn Aga Khan: English and Dari (PDF)
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia: English and Dari (PDF)
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Pakistan: English and Dari (PDF)
Mr. Praful Patel, Vice President, The World Bank: English and Dari (PDF)
Dr. Mohammad Jalil Shams, Minister of Economy, Afghanistan: English
First Vice President Ahmad Zia Massoud, Afghanistan: English and Dari (PDF)
Professor Eshaq Nadiri, Afghanistan: English

More Information about the Sponsors and Partners
Government of Afghanistan
The Aga Khan Development Network
The World Bank Media Briefing Centre
UNDP Newsroom
ADB News and Events

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