Since the establishment of the new Afghan government in 2001, the country has been rapidly developing its business services to meet the needs of its growing private sector. According to a recent World Bank report, Afghanistan ranked 17th out of more than 175 countries in efficiency of starting a business. Before the development of the Afghan Investment Services Agency (AISA), registering a company and getting a business license took more than three months. Today it takes three days. Afghanistan’s growing business community can take advantage of a wide array of services. More than thirteen national and inter-national banks provide businesses with the necessary services to facilitate their commercial activities. Five major telecom companies and dozens of internet service providers currently provide phone and internet connectivity throughout the country and inter-nationally. More than thirty shipping and cargo companies provide air, sea, and ground transportation services to and from Afghanistan. FedEx, DHL, and Western Union have established branches in the country.
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The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, offers financing and loans for various business ventures. Recent IFC projects in Afghanistan include funding for a commercial bank, a telecommunications firm planning to provide a nationwide cellular network, and the Kabul Serena Hotel. In Afghanistan, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has provided more than $94 million to fund projects ranging from construction and manufacturing to tourism, transportation and services. OPIC also provides political risk insurance to U.S. investors, contractors, exporters, and financial institutions involved in international transactions.
American companies importing Afghan products can take advantage of the duty-free tariff treatment of 5,700 Afghan products, including Afghan carpets. Afghan rugs are allowed access to the American market duty free creating opportunities that facilitate business partnerships. Hand woven rugs were designated as duty free under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences program as part of a Presidential Proclamation in June 2005.
