The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Afghanistan and the Afghan Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI) support presenting 26 small and medium businesses owned by Afghan women at an exhibition in Rotana Arjaan in Dubai from 16 to 18 March 2023.

"Women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan face extraordinary challenges when running a business or working to provide for their families," said UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan Abdallah Al Dardari. "The lack of connectivity with markets across Afghanistan's border is one of them. This international fair helps at least some of them get access to other markets."

The exhibited commercial items include jewellery, carpet, dry fruits, handicrafts, wooden artefacts, shoes, and Saffron-based products. The participating women entrepreneurs have been enlisted through a country-wide UNDP programme supporting over 34,000 women businesses across Afghanistan.

"We are committed to supporting Afghan women entrepreneurs in every possible way," added Al Dardari. "UNDP assists women businesses directly, in consultation with women business chambers and NGOs active in helping women. There are 26 women entrepreneurs showcased at this fair in Dubai as part of our programme aiding women in Afghanistan. UNDP provides small grants, in-kind assistance, and skills training to a growing group of businesswomen across Afghanistan. Our objective is to reach 50,000 women entrepreneurs."

According to AWCCI, "Afghan women entrepreneurs are committed to contributing to Afghanistan's sustainable economic development. In these critical times, the AWCCI is more than ever dedicated to supporting their access to economic opportunities, financial independence and prosperity by opening up new domestic and international markets."

UNDP analysis forecast that restricting women from working can result in an economic loss of up to US$1 billion – or up to five per cent of Afghanistan's GDP.

UNDP Afghanistan
Website: https://www.undp.org/afghanistan

Contact: Communications.af@undp.org

AWCCI

Email: Info@awcci.af / Director@awcci.af

Contact: +93765777666