4-day handicrafts exhibition begins in Mazar-i-Sharif

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A four-day exhibition showcasing local products and handicrafts commenced in northern Balkh province on Monday.

The show is organized with financial assistance of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to support domestic products and attract investment in the country. About 90 companies have put their products on display t the event in Mazar-i-Sharif.

ILO head for the northern zone, Zwati Surati, called the participation of Afghan businesswomen in the exhibition ‘a major win’ and said the women of Afghanistan needed more support than any other time.

Surati said ILO was supporting businesswomen to develop small businesses in Afghanistan and assured her organization would stand with Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) office head Imamuddin Sanayee Zada said the exhibition was held to showcase domestic products for four days.

Since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA)’s takeover, major problems of tbusinessmen have been solved and raw materials was also prevented from being smuggled, Sanayee Zada said.

Most booths at the exhibition have been given to businesswomen to showcase their handicrafts.

A participant and businesswoman Nazila Ahmadzai complained about high prices of raw materials in the country and asked the government to take action and reduce their prices.

Another participant, Aalia Makhdoum also complained about the high prices of raw materials and called lack of buyers one of the major challenges they faced.

Balkh ACCI director Asadullah Asadi believed holding such exhibitions was crucial to developing the industry and business and said he was trying to draw the attention of international organizations towards Afghan products by holding such exhibitions.

Balkh Deputy Governor Noorul Hadi Abu Idris welcomed the participation of women in the exhibition and said that women could always participate in such exhibitions in order to develop their business.

He urged the businesswomen to observe all Islamic principles and the hijab in all areas.

This is a second big exhibition in Balkh in the last one year, in which a number of businessmen and investors, including women, are displaying their handicrafts and domestic products.

aw/ma

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