Kabul Group

An Economics Consulting Our Main Office: Kabul, Afghanistan Mobile: +93(0)79692004 +93(0)70278383 Email: [email protected]

Date: 15/01/2006

Kabul Group An Economic and Business Advisory and Consultancy Company Introduction and Background Kabul Group is affiliated with Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce as an Economic Advisory and Management Consultancy Organization that has commenced working with the objective of involving itself in the fields of institutional building, capacity enhancement as well as the provision of business development services to institutional clients especially in the private sector.

Professionally qualified and experienced international and local personnel are already working with KG enabling the Group to extend its advisory, consultancy, research and other services in the local market while at the same time being aware and cognizant of international practices and developments in the areas that KG is working in. Kabul university economic faculty instructors are also enlisted to work with Kabul Group on specific projects. They bring in their professional experience and insight that has a positive bearing on practical business matters and can work smoothly and constructively with our professional staff who are either their present or former students.

From Left Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai president of Kabul University, Dr. Hassan Yar Minister for Higher Education, Kathyrn Stevens from the US embassy, Shahid Hassan of Kabul Group, Prof. Hamidullah Farooqi President of AICC, Dr. Omer Zakhilwal

Presidnet of AISA and Prof. Fazil Ahmad Joya Dean of Economics Faculty at the inaugural function of Kabul Group. Countrywide outreach Kabul Group possesses the ability to complete professional engagements on a country wide basis,. A number of surveys, for international organizations have already been conducted all over the country and further such projects are being currently negotiated. Local professional staff working with Kabul Group hail from different parts of the country and can be sent to their respective provinces for project related work. Kabul Group already has an office in Hirat and affiliations in other major cities are currently being negotiated,

Services offered The Group has recently commenced targeted consultancy services to a small number of institutional clients working in the private sector. Some of the more specific areas that Kabul Group is currently pursuing include• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Rendering assistance in the preparation of business plans for banking loan and investment Communication with banks on business plans Capacity building: accounting, marketing, communication, management and international trade related training courses. Advisory services for small entrepreneurs Preparing financial statements and resolving financial disputes Taxation related guidance and advice Developing computer based accounting systems, websites, databases as well as computer networking. Communications Recruitment of personnel and preparation of job descriptions Completion of documents related to supply and procurement related to tender notices. Marketing of goods. Utilization of internet for trading purposes. Conducting surveys and carrying out business and economic research.

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Preparing brochures, proposing logos and suggesting names for new business organizations Holding of seminars and workshops

Kabul Group--Current Activities 1. The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency, (AISA), has instituted three business prizes under the name of the Abdul Majeed Zabuli Business Prizes. This assignment was given to Kabul Group by GTZ. In this connection KG held four workshops in Hirat, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Mazar-e-Shareef . In these workshops leading businesspeople were motivated to participate in these prizes and many application forms were filled out for the purpose. 2. Bank Credits:- KG is also involved in completing formalities prior to submission of credit application cases to the management of concerned bank for final credit decisions. Bank credits in excess of USD 3 million have already been raised for clients and a number of other credit cases are under process with commercial banks. 3. Research Project: We have recently completed a country- wide survey for GTZ relating to the operational status of companies registered by the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) as well as some analysis and recommendations regarding the findings of the survey.

4. Training: KG is also involved in imparting training in a number of subjects related to business administration. Two such certificate courses have been completed and another will be commenced soon.

5. ANBP/UNDP: We also participated with a presentation in a one day workshop for disarmed commanders to convince them to invest in business and manufacturing and we also pointed out some potential businesses that are of relevance to Afghanistan. The presentation participants are also visiting KG for consultancy. 6. Business Plans:- KG has worked on a number of business plans for new and existing businesses. The primary aim of the preparation of these plans is to enable the concerned entrepreneur to have a better understanding of the business he wants to enter, its competition, investment, earning potential etc

7. Mental Model Survey: KG signed a contract with OTF in December 2005 obtaining the viewpoints of businessmen and traders regarding business conditions and prospects as well as their views relating to the present and future conditions of the economy of Afghanistan. 8. Miscellaneous: KG is also in the process of obtaining two contracts relating to designing a website conducting a training program for the staff and members of another local chamber of commerce. In addition to the foregoing we are also involved in fulfilling registration requirements of a number of new businesses before they are in a position to formally submit their papers to AISA. Moreover, we are also awaiting final response from our institutional clients on a number of other miscellaneous projects. Institutional Relations During the short period of time in which Kabul Group has been operational it has established good working relations with a number of local and international organizations. Some of these organizations are as follows:• • • • • • • •

Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) Kabul Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Regional chambers and trade associations Dry fruit associations Carpet manufacturing and exporters associations Construction industry associations Local TV stations

International organizations with whom Kabul Group has established good contacts include:•

UNDP

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GTZ Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) World Vision Italian Development Corporation. Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chemonics International. On The Frontier (OTF) Embassies of a number of countries.

Outlook The private sector of the economy in Afghanistan has been newly invigorated after decades of neglect, dormancy and regression. New ventures are being established in trading, industry, agriculture and mining. Moreover, chambers of commerce and industry as well as trade associations are being organized. Whereas the former contribute towards enhancing an economy’s productive capacity the private sector chambers and associations give a common voice and direction to the sector and represent the private sector in various forums including local, regional and international. Significant growth has been witnessed in the sectors of road building, construction, housing, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, aviation, water supply, banking, media, hotels and guest houses, education, health, rural development, agriculture, agrobased businesses irrigation, and some other sectors. Sectors like insurance, leasing, development banking, accounting and auditing, legal services, leasing, marketing, advertising and consultancy, large-scale industries and small and medium enterprises, (SMEs), are still in infancy thus characterizing the low base from which the Afghan economy is expanding. Despite this low base, the economy’s fast pace of growth affords significant investment opportunities to local and foreign businessmen as well as the more dynamic and business oriented members of the worldwide Afghan Diaspora Over the last few years the Afghan economy has been growing very rapidly. The country’s GDP has been increasing at a rate of 15—20% per annum from January 2002 to December 2005. An improved security situation and generous assistance from the international community have been instrumental in making these achievements possible. 2006 is expected to be another fruitful year for the Afghan economy as many large economic and infrastructural projects, that were initiated in past years, will either be completed or will be approaching completion. Many foreign organizations are already working in the country and others are also interested in having a presence here. This increased level of interest in Afghanistan promises further years of brisk economic activity and rapid growth. Kabul Group is positioning itself to offer pertinent and timely advise on macro and micro economic matters and business issues. Being a local organization we can draw on our local knowledge and personnel to help organizations understand the country better so that they are able to operate efficiently and profitably in this rapidly evolving economic environment.

For any further information related to the activities and operations of Kabul Group please do not hesitate to contact Sayed Javed Andish on these Telephone numbers 070-278383, 079-692004. You can also contact us in our offices.

We assist local and international organizations in achieving their business and economic objectives. Kabul group specializes in different aspects of the Afghan economy. We can offer insightful and valuable suggestions regarding your activities and operations in Afghanistan. Our professional staff can be of meaningful assistance in all the functional areas of business including accounting and finance, marketing, human resources, surveys and research, training and database development. Afghanistan has registered rapid economic growth over the past four years. Foreign assistance and investment is pouring into the country,