FORWARD OPERATING BASE SMART, Afghanistan – Over 30 Afghan government officials, including key provincial line ministers, gathered in Qalat City, the capital of Zabul province, to discuss the development of a comprehensive economic strategy Sept. 13, 2012. The purpose of the conference was to gather input from those officials on how to best move the province forward as it seeks to build its economic capacity and infrastructure.
The conference, sponsored in part by the United States Agency for International Development, focused on the development of agri-business in Zabul and the expansion of export operations into neighboring provinces. The all-day session resulted in extensive input from the officials and helped to formulate the strategy of the provincial government as the region moves to transition from International Security Assistance Force support.
“The goal of the conference was to lay out guidelines for regional economic growth, while relying on efforts from those who not only are the local experts, but will also be responsible for its long-term implementation,” said Wesley Nguyen, USAID’s private sector official. “We presented the development strategy with the hope that the government members would bring their own ideas to the table and that we could incorporate those ideas into the final project.”
The conference began with introductions for those present and then explained the purpose of the Economic Development Strategy. Nguyen says that the immediate goal was to create solutions that were organic to the province, and therefore sustainable.
“The first goal is to harness the local agri-business potential, increasing crop yields and quality,” said Nguyen after the conference concluded. “The second goal was to create opportunities for the expansion of the export operations that currently exist. By increasing market opportunities for those products, you can improve the lives of farmers and business owners in Zabul province.”
Director of Sectors for the Provincial Governor Abdul Uszgani saw the EDS as an opportunity to increase stability in the region.
“By increasing farm-to-market capacity, we will increase employment in the province,” said Uszgani. “This will in turn improve the overall quality of life for our people.”
“This type of activity [the conference] helps to build important relationships,” said Rahim Dad, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development director for Zabul province. “Long-term planning helps to provide a blueprint for the people, one that will lead to success of the economy.”
After initial presentations had concluded, the attendees split into smaller working groups with the goal of providing contributions to the EDS. These contributions were presented to the entire group at the end of the day, and will be incorporated into the strategy.
“The officials left with a positive view of the conference, and some really great ideas were presented,” said Nguyen. “These included the idea to create a bank for agri-specific lending, the creation of a trade association and plans to increase agri-specific training.”
The completed EDS will include these suggestions, and the plan will be reviewed by a specially-appointed council that includes the provincial governor. This council will then bring the strategy to donor organizations in Kabul with hopes to begin immediate action to the region.
“As security improves in the region, it is important that we continue to make improvements in economic sectors,” said Uszgani. “Then the lives of every Afghan will improve, and there will once again be opportunity for those who live here.”
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2012 05:29 |
| Story ID: | 95025 |
| Location: | QALAT, AF |
| Hometown: | QALAT, AF |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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