The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, New Delhi, Economic Department organized an interactive session with H.E. Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to India on 23rd February in the ITC Room in the Chamber premises. Mr. S. M Ahmadi, Economic Counselor, Afghanistan Embassy also joined the interaction. Senior representatives from industry and academia, researchers and the media attended the session.
Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, President Designate of the Chamber delivered the Welcome Address. Mr. Dasgupta spoke about the traditional, historical and cultural connect between the two countries. India has also played a significant role in the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan. The objective of the interactive session was to widen the base for B2B cooperation between the nations which would create a relevant platform to provide a broad understanding of the scope of a two-pronged economic approach between the two countries and could bring likeminded corporates together to initiate the prospect of partnerships.
H.E. S M Abdali commenced his address by focusing on the historical and emotional attachment between the two countries and indeed between Kolkata and Afghanistan. He did mention about the common misperception about the constraints in doing business in and with Afghanistan. Currently the country was going through a transition stage and there had been a lot of changes in the eco political scenario in the country. Afghanistan currently has its own army; institutions and mechanisms had been rebuilt after the historic elections and a new Government had come into power. India is a key strategic partner of Afghanistan. The specific scopes of business opportunities commencing with partnerships between the Chambers of Commerce were talked about.