Breakfast Meeting with Afghan Minister of Commerce

As Afghanistan looks ahead to a much smaller international presence following the end of NATO’s combat mission in 2014, concerns about the country’s security compete with concerns about its economic prospects. Some 97% of Afghanistan’s GDP is derived from international military and development aid along with spending in the country by international troops. The Afghan economy is expected to suffer a severe blow when this inflow of money begins to dry up. But strides have also been made to build up an economy outside of the security-related field through foreign investment, and there is a wealth of opportunities for future growth.

In light of the complex economic threats facing Afghanistan, I am pleased to ask you to join me for an invite-only background briefing with the Afghan Minister of Commerce, Dr. Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, this Thursday, February 28 at 9:00 AM at the Embassy of Afghanistan. Dr. Ahady was confirmed as Minister of Commerce in May 2010 following previous roles as the Governor of the Central Bank of Afghanistan and Minister of Finance.

I sincerely hope you will be able to join me for this important conversation.

– Peter Bergen
Director, National Security Studies Program, New America Foundation

Participants