Nangarhar Archive

The leadership of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment held a joint meeting with various officials in the Torkham border to address the issue of parking space for empty transit containers.

Haji Sifatullah Sahibzada, Deputy of Services at the Nangarhar Chamber, accompanied by board member Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad and several traders, traveled to Torkham and met with Torkham Commissioner Mr. Abdul Jabbar Hikmat and Transport Director Mr. Mawlawi Gulab Shah.

Mr. Sahibzada explained that a few months ago, a separate terminal had been constructed in the Torkham customs area specifically for empty transit containers, aimed at preventing delays and speeding up the transfer process. This terminal initially allowed empty trucks to cross the border within two to three nights.

However, due to space limitations, the terminal lacked adequate capacity and was closed by transport authorities. As a result, empty trucks were forced to line up alongside regular cargo trucks, causing delays and leading to detention penalties for traders.

Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad emphasized that reopening a dedicated terminal would significantly help ensure timely movement of containers, avoid financial penalties, and improve coordination with freight companies. He noted that currently, hundreds of empty trucks have been stuck for several days at the Torkham yard.

The delegation formally requested authorities to expedite the clearance process, which officially began last night. It is expected that all empty containers will cross the border within the next two to three nights.

During the meeting, the establishment of a new, suitable parking area for empty containers was also proposed and formally submitted to the municipality. The new terminal is expected to become operational next week after administrative steps are completed, and containers will be parked separately.

The leadership delegation of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment participated in a meeting organized by UNAMA under the theme “Strengthening Economic Dialogue of the Private Sector.”

The meeting was attended by Haji Rais Iqbal, Financial Deputy of the Nangarhar Chamber, Mr. Haji Gul Murad Arab, Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad, Shakirullah Sapi, Acting Head of the Executive Board, Ms. Karen, Head of the UNAMA Eastern Regional Office, officials from the Kunar and Laghman Chambers of Commerce and Investment, several private sector members, and government officials.

Mr. Haji Gul Murad Arab thanked UNAMA for continuously organizing such meetings aimed at strengthening the private sector and appreciated its coordination with the international community regarding the sector’s challenges and concerns. However, he also noted that despite these issues being documented, no practical steps have been taken to resolve many of them.

He emphasized the need to revise the transportation fare regulations, open the Wagah border for Afghan exports, address traders’ concerns about increased fruit and vegetable production in Pakistan, and solve issues related to the transit of commercial goods. He also pointed out delays in issuing business visas as a serious problem.

He added that both at the provincial and central levels, concrete steps have been taken to empower the private sector in the eastern region, which has led to achievements in several areas.

Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad, in his remarks, called for the renewal of the APTTA agreement, activation of the Chabahar Port, lifting of international sanctions, provision of banking facilities for traders, construction of cold storage facilities to strengthen exports, establishment of an economic council in Nangarhar, prioritization of developmental projects over humanitarian aid, and reform of some trade laws, among several other proposals and demands.

The session also evaluated the economic situation of Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan, available opportunities, government engagement and support for the private sector, and UNAMA’s national role.

On Saturday, the First Deputy of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Mr. Mohammad Younus Mohmand, along with board members Mr. Sayed Parwiz Sadat Hufyan and Mr. Mir Zaman Popal (Acting Deputy of Finance and Administration), held a meeting with the leadership of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

Participants from Nangarhar included First Deputy Haji Hazrat Wali Hadwal, Trade Deputy Abdul Wali Babakarkhil, Services Deputy Haji Sifatullah Sahibzada, Secretary-General Haji Ghulam Mustafa Rahimi, Finance Deputy Haji Rais Iqbal, and respected members Haji Gul Murad Arab, Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad, Haji Azizurrahman Arab, Ejazulhaq, and Acting Executive Head Shakerullah Sapi.

The Nangarhar Chamber leadership raised key challenges facing the province’s private sector and urged the central leadership to seriously address them.

Mr. Mohmand welcomed the Nangarhar leadership and described the province as one of Afghanistan’s most important economic and commercial zones, with rich mineral resources and a key transit point with Pakistan. He assured full support from the chamber for resolving the challenges of the local private sector.

Mr. Popal spoke about the process of exports to neighboring countries and provided practical guidance to the executive team of the Nangarhar Chamber to ensure more transparency in the export process.

Date: 7 Saratan 1404

The leadership delegation of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment — including First Deputy Haji Hazrat Wali Hadwal, Trade Deputy Abdul Wali Babakarkhil, Services Deputy Haji Sifatullah Sahibzada, Secretary-General Haji Ghulam Mustafa Rahimi, Finance Deputy Haji Rais Iqbal, respected members Haji Gul Murad Arab, Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad, Haji Azizurrahman Arab, Ejazulhaq, and Acting Executive Board Head Shakerullah Sapi — held a special meeting with the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Nooruddin Azizi.

The meeting involved a detailed discussion on the challenges and needs of the private sector. The delegation raised several issues including obstacles in the license renewal process, problems regarding the halted exports of goods to India via Pakistan, lack of coordination between the ministry and the chamber, service quality improvements, solutions for traders’ challenges, and the need for facilitation of business visas.

On behalf of the Nangarhar Chamber, Haji Gul Murad Arab thanked the Minister for his services and stated: “We are working in coordination with the ministry to deliver the necessary services to traders. Traders are facing several issues that we urge to be resolved.”

Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad shared concerns from investors and traders regarding the new license renewal procedure, requested a resolution for the export blockade issue in Pakistan, and called for visa facilitation.

Minister Azizi assured the delegation that these private sector concerns would be addressed and resolved within the framework of the law, and that additional facilities would be provided in support of traders.

Date: 1404/4/7

On Wednesday, the leadership board of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment held a meeting with the participation of First Deputy Mr. Haji Hazrat Wali Hadwal; Deputy for Trade Affairs Mr. Haji Abdul Wali Babakarkhil; Deputy for Services Mr. Haji Sifatullah Sahibzada; Deputy for Finance Mr. Haji Rais Iqbal; Head of the Secretariat Mr. Haji Ghulam Mustafa Rahimi; leadership members Mr. Haji Gul Murad Arab and Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad; and acting executive board head Mr. Shakerullah Sapi.

During the meeting, the Head of Secretariat Mr. Rahimi presented information regarding the agenda topics.

The challenges facing traders—particularly those related to the Ministries of Transport, Finance, Industry and Commerce, and the Customs Directorate—were discussed. It was decided that meetings would be held with the relevant ministries to seek solutions.

Transport and Foreign Relations Committees were also formed. Mr. Abdul Wali Babakarkhil and Mr. Rais Iqbal were assigned to the Transport Committee, while Dr. Mukhlis Ahmad and Mr. Shoaib were assigned to the Foreign Relations Committee.

It was also decided that any member of the Nangarhar Chamber’s board who fails to attend the next leadership meeting will have their membership suspended and will be dealt with according to the Chamber’s statute.

Additionally, the meeting included discussions on issues such as trade visas, problems of coal exporters, inaccurate weight readings at customs, barriers in acquiring or renewing business licenses, the new representative identification process for national traders at customs, and other related matters.

At the International Exhibition of the Islamic World held in Kazan, Russia, an Afghan delegation led by Deputy Economic Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, including Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi and members of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment leadership such as Haji Gulmurad Arab, traveled to Russia on Thursday and visited various production sectors. The exhibition will last for three days.
Mr. Gulmurad Arab stated that the participation of Afghan traders in the exhibition played a very significant role, and meetings were held with various international companies regarding the import of raw materials. Additionally, the Russian government gave full assurance to Afghan traders concerning trade cooperation and visa facilitation.