JALALABAD (SW): Engineer Shakir, Director Agriculture and Livestock in eastern Nengrahar province has said the aim behind a 3-day agricultural fair in the province it to encourage and promote this vital sector of the economy.
Besides agricultural products from across the eastern zone, this fair is also having on a display the products of northern Balkh and southern Kandahar provinces displayed at neatly managed around one hundred booths.
Khan Jan Alokozay, Vice President for Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said on the occasion that such efforts play key role in boosting domestic agro-based economy.
Alokozay urged the government to develop programs for improving domestic products and encouraging private sector. He asked common people and investors to have faith in the country and play their part in improving state of affairs in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the taxes on the import of raw materials should be decreased.
The three-day fair would remain open for visitors till Friday. The organizers believe domestic products are of far better quality than those imported from regional countries.
Abdul Wali , one of the participants, who deals in poultry related products, told Salam Watandar that the relative peace has enabled local farmers to recapture much of the market share that was previously dominated by imported stuff from the regional countries.
The investors argue that if the government help them more by measures like ensuring security and providing incentives, they can make local products compete at the international level.
Nangarhar has more than 250 agro-based production units out of which 22 are run by women.
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