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Pakistan’s Biggest Lender Habib Bank To End Operations in Afghanistan Soon
Pakistan’s largest bank by asset and the country’s biggest lender, the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has announced its exit from Afghanistan by third quarter 2019. “HBL’s exit from Afghanistan is expected to be completed latest by third quarter 2019 and
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Reviving Afghan Film Industry Despite Ongoing Conflict
By: Leena Alam Afghan cinema travels on a bumpy road that has been damaged by the ongoing spooky tsunami of the so-called war. Cinema that is known to reflect cultural attitudes, trends, and events of a country, the Afghan cinema
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Humanitarian Assistance Worth $61mn From USA To Afghanistan
The United States announced more than $61 million in additional humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of vulnerable communities, displaced persons, and returning refugees across Afghanistan, as well as Afghan refugees in the region. Ongoing conflict and frequent natural disasters
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Women’s Trade Fair Held in Mazar-e-Sharif
The second USAID Forward Together: Women in Business regional trade fair ended this week in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province. The three-day event (March 21-23) coincided with this year’s observance of Nowruz. USAID supports these annual regional trade shows to showcase products
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Lasting Peace Not Possible Without Economic Development
Addressing a gathering in Balkh province, President Ashraf Ghani said the prospect of Afghan peace depends on the country’s economic development. “Peace will come for sure, but the future of peace is related to economic development. Employment remains to be
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Things You Can Anonymously Ship to Your Enemies—FOR REAL!
These businesses exist around the world and they are making money. Ship your enemies glitter covered horse manure. This is how the company, Ship Your Enemies Glitter, describes their product: “Our custom cupcake presentation, with a farm made horse manure
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Entrepreneur of the Month- Rahiba Rahimi
Rahiba Rahimi, 25, is President and Partner at Laman Clothing Fashion, a leading Afghan fashion label. Laman is a domestically produced clothing line. Her style of work reflects upon Afghan cultural heritage especially crafts and embroidery endorsing in modern versatile
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MoU Signed for $631mn Power Transmission Project and Sheewa Dam
The Afghan government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of a power transmission project and construction of Sheewa Dam in Badakhshan province in Char chinar Palace on Tuesday. Funded by Aga Khan Fund, the USD 631 million
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$6.5mn Worth of Contracts Signed to Expand Quality Healthcare in Afghanistan
Three Indian health organizations signed contracts with an Afghan health company at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to expand the provision of quality healthcare in Afghanistan. The contracts, with an estimated value of $6.5 million, aim to establish a
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Bollywood To Remake Hollywood’s All-Time Hit Forest Gump
Aamir Khan is going to star in the remake of Hollywood’s classic movie Forest Gump. The movie won 6 Oscars in 1995 including Best Picture Oscar, Best Actor for Tom Hanks and Best Director for Robert Zemeckis. Aamir Khan announced
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Promoting Renewable Energy in Afghanistan
The Sixth Renewable Energy Coordination Committee (RECC) met at the Afghan Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) in Kabul this week. About 60 attendees, including government officials and stakeholders from the private and public sector, discussed trending issues in the
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Increasing Women’s Participation in Afghanistan’s Extractive Sector
The Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) conducted an event themed ‘Increased Participation of Women in the Extractive Industry’ related to International Women’s Day. The activity brought together female entrepreneurs from the Afghan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Higher Education Ministry Turns to Solar Energy To Address Power Shortages in Universities
The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) inaugurated a solar energy system to power their Information Communication Technology (ICT) system. This innovative solution is supported by the USAID. “Electricity shortage disrupts operations that are critical to running university systems,” said Peter
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Afghanistan Exports Saffron, Pistachio to India Via New Air Corridor
Afghanistan exported 1.4 tons of saffron and pistachio from Herat province to India on Monday via the new air corridor space between Herat and New Delhi. “There is a big market for Afghan goods in India. I am confident Afghan
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Women’s Empowerment: The Key to Fighting the Climate Crisis
Written by: Kimberly White When one thinks of solutions to climate change, immediate thoughts may be expanding renewable energy use, reducing deforestation, or opting for EVs vs. traditional vehicles. However, there is another powerful key in the fight against the climate crisis that
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Afghanistan To See A 30% Reduction in Internet Price in Coming Year
Afghan Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology announced a 30% reduction in internet prices with the start of 1398 solar year. The announcement was made by Minister Shahzad Aryubi during the inauguration of the job portal “Easy Job”. Aryubi said
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Kabul-New Delhi Flights Through Pakistan to Resume Soon
Following the latest tensions between Pakistan and India, Pakistani authorities shut down their air space to international flights. While Pakistan’s air space opened up for other international flights, the country had kept it closed for Kabul-New Delhi flights. Afghanistan’s national
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State Department Launches the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a new initiative supporting women entrepreneurs around the world. The Academy, in support of the White House-led Women’s Global Development
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ADB Donates $30mn for Reconstruction of Kabul-Kandahar Highway
Ministry of Public Works announced $30 million donation from the Asian Development Bank for reconstruction and preservation of Kabul-Kandahar highway. According to the ministry officials, more than 8000 kilometers of roads have been asphalted over the course of one and
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YouTube Channel on At-Home Workouts for Afghan Women
Shamila Kohestani, the former captain of the Afghan Women’s National Football Team, has launched a YouTube channel where she teaches physical activities in Farsi to help women in Afghanistan do exercise at home. There are only a few gyms in
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Women in Business Regional Trade Fair Opens in Herat
The second Forward Together: Women in Business regional trade fair opened today in Herat. The three-day event (March 7-9) coincides with this year’s observance of International Women’s Day. The event is one of three regional trade fairs that USAID supports
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Improving Livelihoods of Afghan Women Through Credit Shura
One of the most difficult challenges for female farmers and women who operate agriculture-related businesses in Afghanistan is access to credit. In addition, many women often do not understand how credit can help grow their businesses. To address these challenges,
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Afghan Entrepreneur Among 2019 GIST Tech-I Finalists
Afghanistan’s start-up owner, Ali Reza Hussaini, is selected as one of the 24 finalists of the 2019 GIST Tech-I competition. Hussaini is the owner of MEND Afghanistan—an initiative by Afghan youth who have come together to make a difference through
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Afghanistan’s “Real Time Data Management” Contract a Yay or Nay?
The Afghan government recently signed a contract with an American company on the establishment of the Real Time Data Management System that will ensure transparency in the collection of the 10% tax on mobile phone top-ups. The news made quite
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Afghanistan Wins at SAARC Women Entrepreneur Awards
Afghan woman entrepreneur Zarghona Walizada won the SAARC Women Entrepreneur Award at the first SAAR Women Entrepreneur Awards hosted in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Walizada is the owner of TacTaz Shipment and Freight Forwarding Company. The first ever SAARC Women Entrepreneur
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