Ambassador Hilda Arellano Visits Herat

August 1, 2012

Hilda Arellano, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs (CDDEA) and Brad Hanson, the Senior Civilian Representative in RC-West, look out over the city from the Citadel on August 1 in Herat.

CDDEA Arellano then met with the Herat Provincial Council where she discussed economic development, protection of women and children and the future of U.S. – Afghan relations with the Council.

Arellano traveled to Herat to see first-hand this relatively peaceful and prosperous, and historically significant western province of Afghanistan.

CDDEA Arellano began her visit with ... a tour of the Doost Marble Factory in Herat’s industrial park where owners Adam and Nasim Doost produce high quality finished marble for export. The delegation was pleased to learn that the industrial park operates 24 hours a day supplied by electricity from the local grid. The Doosts estimated that including quarry personnel and indirect employment including sales and distribution, the Doost Marble Factory creates about 4.000 jobs.

CDDEA Arellano then met with the Herat Provincial Council where she discussed economic development, protection of women and children and the future of U.S. – Afghan relations with the Council.

Following the meeting with the Council, CDDEA Arellano met with Herat Deputy Governor Asiluddin Jami. Both sides reviewed Herat’s economic and educational advances and the United States’ continued commitment to western Afghanistan as evidenced by Herat being chosen as the location of the first U.S. Consulate to open in Afghanistan.

CDDEA Arellano and her party were overwhelmed by the grandeur and beauty of the Qala Ikhtiyaruddin Citadel, one of the most impressive surviving citadels in all of Central Asia, as well as the Herat National Museum located inside the Citadel.

CDDEA Arellano was justifiably proud of the new U.S. Consulate Building in Herat which represents the enduring warmth and strength of diplomatic relations between the United States and Western Afghanistan.