A2F Exhibition draws 3,500 business reps

KABUL said.

The two-day Access to Finance (A2F) Exhibition was jointly organised by the Afghanistan Banks Association (ABA) and the USAID, which has invested heavily in Afghanistan’s electronic banking sector.

Over the last two years, the number of Afghans owning a bank account has risen from one to three million, according to a statement from the US agency.

 Khalilullah Sediq, ABA chairman and Afghanistan International Bank CEO, said: “The Afghan financial sector has been growing at a healthy pace. We expect the expansion of branchless banking will…help small and medium enterprises grow at a faster pace.” 

Attended by more than 3,500 members of the business community, the event featured 50 booths where banks, microfinance agencies and other financial institutions showcased products and services.

US Ambassador James Cunningham said on the occasion: “The United States government is pleased that once again banks, micro-finance institutions and mobile network operators have come together to demonstrate that Afghanistan is open for business.”

He added: “The future of Afghanistan lies with the ability of Afghans to create their own long-term economic plan and develop the capacity to finance their own economic priorities.”

pr/mud 

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