KUNDUZ – This month UNAMA supported radio panel discussions held in northeastern Kunduz and Takhar provinces on the role of the private sector in strengthening governance.

The radio programmes aimed to discuss practical ways that the private sector and investors could contribute to good governance and development at the sub-national level.  

Representatives from the local business community, provincial Women Entrepreneur Associations, the Department of Commerce, the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) and the Department of Economy participated in the discussions.

Masood Wahdat, from ACCI, highlighted the negative impact of armed conflict on trade and business, particularly on cross border trade in Shirkhan Bander.

“Over the past one and a half years Kunduz city fell twice to AGEs,” he said. “Current conflicts and insecurities resulted in suspension and postponement of investment and private business in the province.”

Wahdat said several factories worth of millions of USD were established in Kunduz to produce products such as fruit juice, toilet and tissue paper and soybeans, but insecurity had led to an economic slump and production had ceased. 

Mohammad Omar Haidari from the Takhar Department of Economy spoke about the importance of cold storage for fruit and vegetables, and announced that several standard cold storage facilities have been reconstructed in the provincial capital and will be handed over to the farmers for usage.

Ghulam Ali Edizada the Provincial Head of the Department of Commerce told the audience that 200 hectares of land has been allocated by the government to build a carpet market in the province.

Aneesa Omid from the Women Entrepreneurs’ Association in Kunduz spoke out about the challenges for businesswomen, including a lack of markets, low capacity, weak support from local authorities, a lack of exhibition opportunity for products and difficulties in accessing finance and credit facilities.

“Improvement of the security situation, capacity building and providing employment opportunities are the key required support which will enable women to invest and work in Kunduz,” she said.  

The discussions are part of UNAMA outreach activities focusing on good governance at the sub-national level and follow two youth-focused events in Baghlan earlier this month. 

The roundtable discussions were organized in collaboration with independent Radio Kunduz and Radio Raihan in Kunduz and Taloqan, and the broadcast reached an estimated 300,000 people.