The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met at the Arg Palace with the United States delegation led by Adam Bowler, the U.S. President’s Special Representative for Prisoner Affairs. Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Representative for Afghan Peace, was also in attendance.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, developments in the region and the wider international arena, as well as bilateral political and economic relations between Afghanistan and the United States.
Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund stated that although the country’s economy had faced serious challenges, it has improved since the establishment of the Islamic Emirate. He noted that administrative corruption and the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics had been completely curtailed, unemployment had declined, and the national currency had remained stable against foreign currencies.
He further emphasized that the banking sector had developed, exports and national revenues had increased, domestic production had grown, major projects had been launched, and industry, trade, and transit had also advanced.
He remarked that due to the economic sanctions imposed on Afghanistan by the United States and the international community, progress in certain areas had not reached the required level.
Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund affirmed that through the adoption of a balanced, economy-centered foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate had succeeded in establishing constructive political and economic relations with several countries.
Referring to investment opportunities in Afghanistan, the Deputy Prime Minister explained that simplified laws had been enacted to encourage investment, and that the rights and requests of all stakeholders would be addressed in accordance with Sharia principles.
He added that an inter-ministerial committee and Afghanistan’s five-year national development strategy had been established to facilitate domestic and foreign investment across various sectors, and that a consultative economic board would also be formed to further economic progress.
The Deputy Prime Minister called on the U.S. delegation to move from confrontation to constructive engagement in Afghanistan, to contribute to the country’s reconstruction, and to invest across multiple sectors.
Adam Bowler, the U.S. President’s Special Representative for Prisoner Affairs, expressed satisfaction with his visit to Afghanistan and noted that both the United States and Afghanistan had effectively implemented the Doha Agreement. He commended Afghanistan’s economic progress and stressed the importance of further expanding relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing the issue of prisoners between Afghanistan and the United States, Adam Bowler confirmed that the two sides would undertake an exchange of detainees. The U.S. delegation expressed its readiness to contribute to Afghanistan’s economy and affirmed its willingness to invest in the country jointly with the private sector.
He also welcomed the consolidation of comprehensive security in Afghanistan and acknowledged that Afghan statements reflected the realities on the ground; he further highlighted that important practical measures had been implemented to prevent the cultivation, production, and trafficking of narcotics.
