KABUL, AFGHANISTAN—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today arrived in Afghanistan to join Afghan officials at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the inaugural Afghanistan International Carpet Fair. Rugs are an important export sector for Afghanistan that provide opportunity, jobs and hope for the Afghan people.
“The Afghan people’s diligent work ethic has helped the Afghan economy grow in recent years,” said Gutierrez. “As the Afghan people continue to embrace open markets and democratic principles their economy will see the fruits of their labor. The export of Afghan rugs will help raise the standard of living for many Afghan families and will help to improve the country’s expanding economy.” While in the region, Gutierrez met with Presidents Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan and Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan to discuss how to promote greater regional integration and cooperation in the region. The Secretary emphasized that economic reforms, transparency and implementing key economic legislation are essential to attracting trade and investment to the region.
Gutierrez will also meet with Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Mir Mohammad Amin Farhang and other members of the Afghan Cabinet to discuss ongoing cooperative efforts designed to strengthen bilateral commercial relations and help Afghanistan develop its trade capacity and private sector.
“I am proud to be joined today by nine U.S. companies who are here to do business at the Afghan Carpet Fair,” said Gutierrez.
The Afghanistan International Carpet Fair featured contemporary and antique carpets from around Afghanistan. The fair was an opportunity for 120 vendors to showcase their products including Afghan producers that have been in the business for centuries. A delegation of nine U.S. rug companies with an interest in the Afghan market also joined Gutierrez. The show expects to attract premier carpet importers, investors and equipment suppliers from around the world. The Secretary was also joined by Assistant Secretaryfor Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A. Boucher and U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan William B. Wood.
Background The U.S. commercial relationship with Afghanistan continues to expand. Last year, two-way trade reached $462 million – 40 percent more than the previous year. Exports of Afghan rugs to the United States rose by 38 percent during the first four months of 2007, compared with the same period in 2006. In addition, more than 160 U.S. companies registered with the Afghan Investment Support Agency, representing over $100 million in potential investment.
Since 2002, the Department’s Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force has coordinated business promotion activities with the Afghan Embassy and the Afghan-American community. The Task Force facilitates U.S. and Afghan business linkages by planning and supporting roundtables with U.S. and Afghan government officials, including investment promotion seminars, business outreach events, matchmaking conferences, and daily counseling of U.S. and Afghan companies via its public e-mail and phone hotlines.
The Department promotes the development of Afghanistan’s key export sectors: rugs, fruits and nuts, and mining/marble. The Task Force organizes trade missions to and from Afghanistan to help Afghan companies find capital, equipment, and international partners for their operations. It also provides assistance for trade capacity building for World Trade Organization accession, trade development and promotion, and standards.
This is the Secretary’s second trip to Afghanistan.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
