Ministry simplifies licencing process

KABUL): Minister of Commerce and Industries Anwarul Haq Ahadi said on Sunday the business licence-issuing process had been simplified, enabling traders to get permits within two days.

With the reforms the ministry’s credibility would improve in the eyes of the World Bank, Ahadi told a gathering, attended by International Finance Corporation (IFC) representatives.

Business licensing reform was a priority for the ministry in providing proper facilities for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Afghanistan. Central registration and licence departments have been set up at the ministry.

The reforms included a drastic cut in the period of time for obtaining a business licence from a month to two days, as well as a reduction in the required procedures from 21 to 8 steps, he added.

Similarly, the minister continued, the validity period of licences had been increased from two to three years. With time the period will be enhanced to five years in line with international standards and extended abroad by Afghan commercial attachés.

He said the reform process accounted for one million dollars provided by a private entity, HARAKAT, Afghanistan Climate Investment Facility Organisation, which was trying to improve the country’s business environment.

HARKAT also provides grants to the private sector, government and civil society to remove barriers that currently make it difficult to do business in Afghanistan.

Nasim Akbar, the Harakat chief executive officer, said reforms in the licencing process were aimed to provide standardised services and facilities for entrepreneurs and to fight corruption.

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