2009 Press Releases
Afghanistan and the United States launch new US$92 M Economic Reform Program
"Our partners - the Ministry of Finance, Commerce, the Central Bank, and the Parliament's Economic Committee - are committed to improving the environment for doing business and to improving services for the Afghan people. In turn, we are committed to helping realize their vision for Afghanistan's people," said Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew
Kabul, Afghanistan September 8, 2009 - Afghanistan and the United States today together launched a new $92M, five-year economic reform partnership, the Economic Growth & Governance Initiative (EGGI). The initiative will provide technical assistance to key Afghan Government economic institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Da Afghanistan Bank, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and the Parliament's National Economic Committee.
USAID Acting Administrator Alonzo L. Fulgham and Afghan Minister of Finance, H.E. Minister Omar Zakhilwal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the project.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan, H.E. Minister Zakhilwal noted, "EGGI highlights the U.S. Government's substantial commitment to development in Afghanistan, including in the critical area of economic development. We express our gratitude to the U.S. Government and the American people for their strong partnership."
Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew remarked that EGGI would help build upon Afghanistan's economic successes over the past few years, notably in regulation of the banking and telecom sectors. He said, "The EGGI effort we are launching here today will help the Afghan Government significantly to make it easier to start a business, access credit, access land, and implement the commercial law framework."
Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne, Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, said, "We look forward to deepening the Afghan-U.S. economic partnership as we implement this $92 million, five-year project - with joint-decision making, joint review and assessment of work plans and progress, and substantial involvement by Afghan officials and citizens at the national and provincial level."
The Economic Growth & Governance Initiative will support key Afghan Government institutions, including their respective provincial branches, to expand economic reform in provinces, districts, and communities. For example, the Ministry of Finance will improve public finance management, increasing tax and non-tax revenues. Assistance to Da Afghanistan Bank and its provincial branches will strengthen monetary policy. The initiative will also improve the business environment by helping the Ministry of Commerce and Industries develop new policies and commercial laws and supporting the expansion of the Afghanistan Central Business Registry (ACBR) to Kandahar, Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, and the rest of the country.