Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) says its delegation has discussed trade and investment problems with Karen Decker, the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Mission to Afghanistan.

At the meeting, the head of ACCI, Tawakal Ahmadyar, said that international cooperation and support of the private sector can play an important role in the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Ahmadyar pointed out the problems and obstacles in the way of Afghanistan's export with neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, and stressed the need to remove these obstacles.

Meanwhile, Decker announced her commitment to support the private sector of Afghanistan ACCI delegation discusses trade problems with US envoy

Officials from Badakhshan Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock have raised concerns about the sharp decrease in numbers of Marco Polo sheep and say their status in the province is under threat.

Marco Polo sheep are distinguishable by their large, spiral horns and live in the mountainous regions of Central Asia - including in the Wakhan National Park.

Their conservation status is "near threatened" and efforts have been made in the region to protect their numbers and keep them from being hunted.

Amanullah Hassan, the head of Badakhshan Agriculture Department, said a survey to count the Marco Polo and the Asiatic ibex was recently carried out by the National Park Authority, Environment Department and Wildlife Conservation Institute (WCI).

According to Hassan, the team assessed 20 herds that included both Marco Polos and Ibex, living at an altitude higher than 4,000 meters above sea level, and found the number of Marco Polos had dropped significantly against data collected by WCI in 2021.

Most Marco Polo sheep live in the Pamir Mountains region adjacent to the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China.

Their elevation ranges from 3,700 to 4,800 m above sea level.

Both Marco Polo and the Ibex are drawcards for the province as they attract dozens of tourists annually.

The Political Deputy Prime Minister, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, met with officials, scholars, and tribal leaders from Panjshir on Tuesday night at ARG where he stated the Islamic Emirate is committed to inclusivity and has initiated projects for equitable development. 

The Panjshiri participants in turn shared various issues with him and called for more efforts to be made in infrastructure development and in completing stalled projects. 

They also stressed that those who oppose the Islamic Emirate from outside the country cannot represent Panjshir, nor will Afghans accept them.

Kabir said the Islamic Emirate “will not tolerate discrimination and prejudice” and that Afghanistan has an independent and strong system.

The meeting was also attended by the Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, the Acting Minister of Vice and Virtue, the Director General of Intelligence, and the Chief of Army Staff.

They all gave their assurance that they would try to resolve problems faced by Panjshir residents.