KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Standing at his booth displaying a variety of handwoven carpets while waiting for customers, Abdullah Abidi, a young entrepreneur, said with a smile that his carpets are already exported to neighboring countries and that he hopes to expand into markets beyond the region.
Abidi, who runs a carpet manufacturing factory in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan, said that about 200 people are currently employed at the factory, adding that the workforce is expected to grow as production expands.
Organized by the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines, the Fifth National and International Industry and Mining Week Exhibition opened on Wednesday in Kabul and will run through July 7. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend.
"Organizing exhibitions like this is vital for promoting our products and expanding trade. By showcasing what we produce, we can reach more customers and further strengthen the economy," Abidi told Xinhua.
Designed to attract investment and stimulate trade and economic activity, the exhibition features nearly 400 booths showcasing a wide range of products from Afghan businesses as well as companies from neighboring countries, including China, Iran and Uzbekistan.
"An exhibition is essentially a marketing platform for businesses and their products. Events like this help us reach customers and sell our products at reasonable prices," said another exhibitor, Sayed Aqil Sadeqi.
Sadeqi, who owns a beekeeping farm in the northeastern Badakhshan province, produces about 100 sir, or roughly 700 kilograms, of honey each year. He said he hopes to attract more customers and sign a number of sales agreements during the seven-day exhibition.
Neman, manager of a perfume company operating in the country, said that the perfume market is thriving in Afghanistan, especially during the hot summer months.
"Participating in exhibitions like this helps us reach more customers and increase sales, which is essential for growing our business and supporting the country's economic development," he said. "Our company now has branches in 10 countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar."
As part of its efforts to encourage investment and support domestic production, the Afghan government regularly organizes industrial, mining and agricultural exhibitions while encouraging both local and foreign companies to invest in and contribute to the country's reconstruction.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy prime minister for administrative affairs, reaffirmed the government's support for the private sector and domestic traders while calling on businesses to invest in Afghanistan. He said the country should strive to achieve economic self-reliance.
Hanafi also stressed that Afghanistan should transform itself from an importing country into an exporting one.
Ahmad Nabizada, head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines, described Afghanistan as a country rich in natural resources and called on Afghan and foreign investors to expand investment in the mining sector. ■
