USAID

Midamar CEO Bill Aossey (right) meets with mulberry farmers and Noor Akbara (right), Project Coordinator, Horticulture and Livestock Project, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. The mulberry grove was one of several places that Aossey visited during his one week visit to Afghanistan where he investigated potential trade and investment opportunities in Panjsher and Bamyan provinces.

USAID/ASMED

An employee at the Paiman Atlas Group carpet facility in Kabul uses some of the new equipment to process Afghan carpets for export.

USAID/EGGI

New managers at the Herat Medium Taxpayer Office display their certificates after completing a USAID-funded management training course.

USAID/ASMED

The company owner Ezatullah Qaderi explaining its products to entrepreneurs.

USAID/TAFA

Clearing of the customs site at Kabul International Airport.

USAID/Afghanistan

A construction worker at the Sabawoon Feed Mill.

USAID/LTERA/Emerging Markets Group

A customer with a copy of his digitized title deed.

USAID/ASAP

A revoluntion in Afghan Cashmere

USAID/ASMED

Equipment used for potato chip production at A Sail Food Products.

USAID/Afghanistan

Aimal, a student in the BBA program, conducts research for his marketing class.

USAID/Afghanistan

A woman places peppers out to dry.

USAID/Afghanistan

The computerized business registration system in use at the Jalalabad branch of the Afghanistan Central Business Registry.

U.S. Embassy/Kabul

From left to right, Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul; Khan Jan Alekozay, Deputy Chairman of ACCI; Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industry Wahidullah Shahrani; William M. Frej, Mission Director for USAID Afghanistan; and Balkh Governor Atta Mohammad Noor cut the ribbon on the new Mazari Sharif branch of the Afghanistan Central Business Registry.

USAID/Afghanistan

U.S. Deputy Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne visits Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherket (DABS) to discuss the U.S. government's more than $40 million investment to increase Afghans' access to electricity.

USAID/ASMED

The Afghan Artist and Artisan Exhibition in Hirat led to sales of more than $60,000.

USAID/ASMED

Customers admire Afghan carpets at Domotex 2010 in Hannover, Germany.

USAID/ASMED/DAI

Afghan traders generated more than $5.2 million in export deals at the Domotex Carpet Trade show recently held in Germany.

USAID/ASMED

The Afghan Craft Cut and Wash Facility allows all steps of the carpet weaving process to occur in Afghanistan.

USAID/ASMED

Afghan delegation at Domotex 2009.

USAID/ASMED

The Afghan delegation at the Tajikistan Development Exposition.

USAID/Afghanistan

Afghan entrepreneurs open new shops with the help of FINCA loans.

USAID/ASMED

The Afghan Marble Conference attracted 120 producers, association members, government officials, and diplomats.

USAID/ASMED

Afghanistan Carpet Booth from Domotex 2009.

USAID/EGGI

The DAB Head of Payments discusses the live operations of the Clearinghouse.

USAID/Afghanistan

Representatives from Arcan Stone exhibit some of their products at the Afghanistan International Marble Conference.

Ian Wagreich/© U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani speaks at the Afghanistan Investment Forum.

USAID/RUFCOD

The Aqcha Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative celebrates its third anniversary.

USAID/ASMED

Newly constructed stalls in Almar Market in Faryab.

USAID/ADP/E

A young man learns how to run a tailoring business as part of an apprenticeship program for day laborers in Jalalabad.

USAID/ASMED

Students graduate from the ASMED business internship program.

USAID/Afghanistan

At a job fair held at the Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI), graduating students complete employment applications. ATVI prepares its students for employment in key sectors including horticulture, construction, information and communications technology (ICT), and vehicle maintenance.

USAID/Afghanistan

USAID conducts many types of vocational training – such as courses in vehicle maintenance, masonry, and carpentry – to provide Afghan citizens with the skills needed to obtain stable jobs. These men are now equipped to work as car mechanics.

USAID/ASMED

The Afghan Women’s Business Federation’s first annual conference was held on February 25, 2009.

USAID/ASMED

AWBF members display their products at the annual Opportunities for Women Business Conference in Jalalabad.

USAID/Amy Koler

Women entrepreneurs enjoyed brisk sales at the AWBF Spring Expo.

USAID/ADP-E/DAI

23,000 chicks hatched in December, laying the foundation for a poultry industry revival in eastern Afghanistan.

USAID/TAFA

A textile manufacturer at Bagrami Industrial Park.

Azizullah Karimi/IDEA-NEW

The Behsud District Textile Factory provides washing, pressing, and dyeing services to small and medium-sized textile weaving enterprises.

USAID/Bearing Point

Border facility in December 2005

USAID/Bearing Point

Border Facility in December, 2007

USAID/EGGI

GIRoA Budgetary Unit staff receive training in program budgeting, Kabul.

USAID/Louisa Bargeron

U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry and Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Anwarul Haq Ahadi talk to participants at the Accelerating Afghanistan Business Growth Conference.

USAID/ASMED

A woman entrepreneur receives her business development course certificate of completion.

Turquoise Mountain

A student at Turquoise Mountain’s Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture practices calligraphy.

USAID/WOCCU

USAID-supported, Sharia-compliant financing helped Sayed Mahmmad purchase a cane juice machine and expand his business.

USAID/ASMED

Among other products, the trade fair featured high-quality Afghan carpets.

USAID/ASMED

Potential customers admire Afghan carpets at the Domotex Middle East Trade Show.

USAID/ASMED/DAI

Domotex carpet trade show, Hanover, Germany.

USAID/Afghanistan

A carpet in process as part of a carpet weaving and business skills training in Baghlan province.

USAID/EGGI

Case preparation at the new Taxpayer Service Center in Hirat.

USAID/TAFA

Participants learn about trade issues at the Conference on National Youth Policy.

USAID/ASMED

Afghan carpet makers enjoying their time at Domotex 2010.

USAID/ASMED

Haji Nabi of Zinnat Carpet accepts the award for Best Modern Design at Domotex Hanover.

Tolo TV

A Dream and Achieve contestant.

USAID/ASMED

During the filming of Dream and Achieve, contestants present their business plans to a panel of judges.

USAID/IRP

Cartons of eggs stand in the front of Abdul Naser’s market stall in Kishim, Badakhshan Province.

USAID/ASMED

Afghanistan contains sizable deposits of gemstones, including emeralds.

USAID/TAFA

Participants of the Baseline Assessment Survey of Women and Young Entrepreneurs workshop in Kabul.

USAID/Katya Sienkiewicz

Dr. Jalil Shams, Minister of Economy (left); Prince Mostapha Zaher, General Director of the National Environmental Protection Agency (center); and Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Minister of Finance (right) exchange the CAWSS transfer memorandum.

USAID/ASMED

Afghan textiles and handicrafts generated significant interest from Russian buyers.

Elaine Eliah USAID/ADPNW

Nazo, one of the top tailors at the garment production center, loves designing women’s clothing and can reproduce designs pictured in magazines.

USAID

The UN World Food Programme helps Kabul residents.

USAID/ASMED

Kabul Mayor Mohammed Younus Nawandish and U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry cut the ribbon to re-open the Foroshgah-E-Borzorg Shopping Center in Kabul.

USAID/Afghanistan

Fourteen community leaders discussed their role in the development of Uruzgan province.

USAID/ASMED

An Afghan entrepreneur displays his fresh fruit at the trade fair in Moscow.

USAID/WOCCU

Sayed Mahmmad and his brother prepare their produce for sale.

USAID/ASMED

Graduation ceremony at the Gemstone Training Center in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province.

USAID/Afghanistan

An intern graduates from USAID’s program at Kabul University.

USAID/Afghanistan

Officials at the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Kunar Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative (IIFC).

USAID/Afghanistan

Dr. Jatinder Cheema congratulates a graduate of the Afghan Vocational Training Institute on May 15, 2008.

USAID/WOCCU

A farmer in Dand prepares his greenhouse for winter planting.

USAID/Afghanistan

Ambassador Wayne, USAID Mission Director Frej, and Minister of Commerce and Industry Shahrani inaugurate the Hirat ACBR.

USAID/ASMED

The Insurance Company of Afghanistan’s web portal, www.icaaf.com.

USAID/Afghanistan

IIFC clients purchasing tractor plows for their fields in Kandahar.

USAID/ARIES

An IIFC member receives medical services.

USAID/Afghanistan

Women's associations displayed their products at the International Carpet Fair.

USAID/ASMED

Students take the internship program entrance examination in Qalat, Zabul province.

USAID/EGGI

EGGI principal advisors lecture during the Introduction to the Economy of Afghanistan training session.

USAID/ASMED

Carpet traders examine goods at the opening of the Jalalabad Carpet Bazaar.

USAID/TAFA

A truck loaded with Afghan goods prepares for travel at the Kabul Inland Customs Depot. Under APTTA, trucks will use electronic tracking devices.

USAID/TAFA

Journalists practice interview techniques with a trader at the Kabul Customs House.

USAID/PRT-Panjsher

This fruit juice, made from Panjsher Province’s fresh fruits and vegetables, is selling well at local markets and fairs.

USAID/ASMED

Box factory employees make cardboard sheets during the box-production process.

USAID/Afghanistan

An Afghan farmer works in the olive fields of Nangarhar.

USAID/Afghanistan

At the Mazari Sharif International AgFair, an Afghan woman demonstrates her carpet weaving skills. USAID supports carpet weaving training and carpet branding programs to help women carpet weavers improve their craft and sales opportunities.

AED/Fiona Shukri

Participants demonstrate a mobile banking funds transfer as Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadeer Fitrat observes.

USAID/Deloitte MCIT

Mobile phone tower in Chamkani.

USAID/ASMED

Afghan products on display at the Moscow Fair of Afghanistan Products.

USAID/LTERA

Mrs. Semeen, a longtime resident of District # 7 in Kabul City sits on the community council and is the Director of the Women’s Center: “Because of this USAID program, people are hopeful and satisfied that this community will become a formal part of the city.”

USAID/IDEA-NEW

Muhammad Rahim Karimzai holds a press conference after being elected as the first Talc Association Director.

USAID/ASMED

The director of the Cotton Seller’s Association cuts the ribbon at the Cotton Pressing and Recycling Factory’s inaugural event.

USAID/Sarah Siegel

Nangarhar Beekeepers Association Manager Manzoor Ahmad proudly displays honey processed in Afghanistan.

USAID/LGCD

Afghan officials, international donors, and community leaders celebrate the launch of the Nangarhar Industrial Park construction.

USAID/ASMED

Students at Nangarhar Medical School work in the new computer lab, which was refurbished and equipped with Internet access by a unique partnership between USAID, NATO, the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, Nangarhar University, and other Afghan partners.

USAID/ASMED

The newly refurbished lab at Nangarhar University’s School of Computer Science.

USAID/Afghanistan

USAID/ASMED

The agreement with the Ministry of Mines was announced at a Nuristani Gemstone Association general assembly meeting.

USAID/ASMED

Afghan students now have the opportunity to learn using computers and the Internet thanks to USAID, the One Laptop per Child Foundation, the Afghan Government, and private sector partners.

USAID/Afghanistan

Former Deputy Mission Director Chuck Drilling hands a laptop to an Afghan student.

USAID/Afghanistan

Children in Baghlan line up to receive their One Laptop per Child computers. Equipped with Internet connectivity, educational software, and a small business tutorial and market information toolkit provided in Dari and Pashto by USAID, the laptops are a valuable tool for the entire family.

USAID/ASMED

Students at a middle school in Kandahar received laptops through the One Laptop Per Child Afghanistan initiative. The computers provide students and their families with access to word processing, the Internet, job information, and resources for small business and farm development.

USAID

Packing pomegranates in Kandahar

USAID/ASMED

Packing wool at the Ikhlas Wool Spinning Company.

USAID

Afghan carpets displayed at trade show in Las Vegas

Matt Herrick

You see my own equipment, except the new loom, is over 30 years old. If I weave a patu for the market, I will do it all in one day. But if I make a patu for the village, for a wedding or celebration, then two days. It is a beautiful gift for the wedding. They know what I do here, because I always weave the patu. Ask if I am good? -Aliachmad, 70- years-old, works behind his patu loom in the hills of the Shamali Plains.

USAID/Jennifer Lindsey

"Thank you to everybody who helped to build our road. It is very good. What used to take one hour to drive, now takes only 10 minutes. Before, it was so bumpy and dusty. And we used to travel at 30 km/hour, at most. Now we can go up to 110 km. /hour. This is very good for my business.” - Noor Rahman, Taxi Driver, Wardak Province

USAID

Religious leaders sign letters confirming that financial services are legitimate and Sharia compliant.

Jeremy Foster RAMP/Afghanistan

Noria Sedequi supervises 25 women working in the Vegetable Dehydrates Factory.

Kim Kim Yee: USAID/Afghanistan

Members of the silkworm production display their silk-embroidered products.

Photo: Alejandro Chicheri

Afghan women prepare flatbreads at a bakery.

USAID/Afghanistan

Widows in Adraskan, Herat voted to form an association to produce and market traditional wool carpets in a USAID funded project.

USAID/LTERA

Buyer’s representative signs documents to privatize Hayratan Technical Services.

USAID/Afghanistan

USAID/ASMED

Religious leaders sign letters confirming that financial services are legitimate and Sharia compliant.

Photo Courtesy of CADG

USAID representatives meet a shop owner in the revitalized bazaar along the new Chutu Road. New markets are springing up before the project is even completed.

AUAF/Afghanistan

Ribbon cutting ceremony at The American University of Afghanistan's Bernice Nachman Marlowe Library.

USAID/ASMED

Provincial Council member Mahbobullah Mahbob cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the Kunduz Gemstone Training Center.

USAID/ADP/E

Trainees receive wool, nylon, and looms to start their own textile businesses.

USAID/ASMED

Aziz Ahmad interns at Roshan Telecommunications. Roshan provides mobile phone service throughout Afghanistan – and on-the-job training to talented students like Aziz.

USAID/WOCCU

Shura leaders and community members attend an IIFC orientation in Samangan province.

USAID/World Council of Credit Unions

A team of volleyball players that received assistance from the Samangan IIFC.

USAID/ASMED

The Nangarhar Seed Producer and Wholesaler Association’s new seed storage facility in Jalalabad.

USAID/EGGI

A trainer instructs staff of the SherKhan Bandar border branch on how to use CBS reports.

USAID/Afghanistan,Ash Sweeting

Amin is showing his newly soap making skills by mixing plant oil and caustic lye together. He acquired these skills through intensive vocational training on the fundamentals of soap making, which were provided as a result of USAID's community-based small grant toward a soap making factory for the Wazir community in Nangarhar Province in Eastern Afghanistan. Once USAID-supported road construction efforts are completed in the region, the road and the soap making factory will have a positive impact on the well-being of the Wazir community.

Henk Boneschans, International Relief and Development

Working with the Afghan Government, USAID’s Strategic Provincial Roads project rehabilitates rural roads across southern and eastern Afghanistan. These development projects provide job skills to people like Amin and make a positive impact for the community.

USAID/IRD/SPR-SEA

Mapari from Lokhai, Nangarhar, can now provide for her children and send them to school as a result of SPR community grants.

USAID/Afghanistan

Students learned new mapping and information management skills.

USAID/TAFA

Sample distribution for the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey on trade and customs.

USAID/BearingPoint/MCIT

Dignitaries including Minister of Communications and Information Technology Sangin (cutting the ribbon) and the Governor of Takhar presided over the inauguration of the new center.

USAID/Afghanistan

The Takhan Women’s Handicrafts Skills Association displaying their products.

USAID/EGGI

A Da Afghanistan Bank teller prints a CBS-issued voucher following a client transaction.

USAID/Afghanistan

Afghan Central Business Registry, small and medium enterprises

USAID/ARIES/AED

The Surat Zadah Flour Mill in Balkh province will generate 160 employment opportunities due to a $500,000 loan from the USAID-assisted Afghanistan Rural Finance Center

USAID/ASGP Kabul Staff

Thirty vulnerable women are learning skills in jewelry making and hope to develop their association into a sustainable cooperative.

USAID/CADG

Tirin Kot’s residents are pleased to have new concrete drains and sidewalks.

Turquoise Mountain

Students hone their pottery skills at Turquoise Mountain’s Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture.

USAID/Afghanistan

Reporters from Tolo TV filming a documentary on how to use the new directory.

USAID/ASMED

A new traffic circle in Farah City.

USAID/ADP-E/DAI

Training at the Kunar Directorate of Agriculture for new text message system distribution market price information.

USAID/ASMED

Gemologists learn to identify real and synthetic gemstones.

USAID/SPR-SEA

Women in eastern Afghanistan like Musharaba are now enjoying newfound confidence and skills in carpet weaving and literacy thanks to USAID.

USAID/EGGI

Newly hired interns participate in a two-day orientation session.

USAID/PRT-Panjsher

Women trainees are proud to learn how to make jam and juice while earning an income to support their families.

USAID/ARIES

New women members of the Nangarhar Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative.

USAID/Afghanistan

Work commences on an industrial park.

USAID/Afghanistan

Workers producing salt at the Omid Kabul Company. The new loan will create new jobs and expand their services across thecountry.