9th Annual U.S. - Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference 2013

December 1- 3, 2013 in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) will hold its 9^th Annual U.S. - Afghanistan Business Matchmaking Conference on December 1-3 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C, with evening receptions at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on 14th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., across the street from the Conference. Some 75 Afghan businesspeople and government officials are expected to attend with a total turnout of over 300 people.

"For the ninth consecutive year, AACC will bring together a large contingent of businesses from Afghanistan and senior Afghan and U.S. officials and key U.S. and 'western' businesses active in Afghanistan," explained Sulaiman Lutfi, Board Chairman of AACC. He noted, "Our panelists are among the best and brightest in their respective areas, but beyond that, it is the opportunity for creative networking among Afghan and U.S. business people and key government officials from both countries."

AACC's unique networking format includes 'one-on-one' sessions for attendees with speakers and panelists in the afternoons of the Conference.

The longest running Conference of its kind, it is the main event of the year for generating sustainable U.S. and Afghan economic ties.

"In an era of uncertainty and change as we enter the 2014 election year and also feel the impact of a massive drawdown of coalition forces, we'll need the private sector and market economy to produce more than ever before. A far more productive, civilian-oriented and market economy is called for and the central role of the private sector, to create sustainable wealth, products, services, and jobs for the Afghan people, cannot be overestimated," said AACC President and former U.S. Congressman Don Ritter.

The goal is to facilitate promotion of business-to-business relationships, the cornerstone of investment and trade between the U.S. and Afghanistan, and a key factor in achieving stability in Afghanistan.

Panel discussions will cover the sectors of Transportation and Logistics; Agriculture; Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Mining and Natural Resources; and Construction and Infrastructure. Promoting and Financing Afghan Business and Investment is a key panel for attendees. Finally a new panel has been added, Empowering Women in the Afghan Economy.

Presentations will include a giant, market-based, real estate development project for the "Kabul New City" plan; a look at taking Afghan gemstones to jewelry into international markets; bringing grapes, pomegranates and tree fruits to Middle Eastern markets; how DoD, USAID and Commerce Dept.  work with individual businesspeople and investors to further economic growth and stability; mobile telephony and its impact on moving money, people's health, women's economic opportunities, and more.

AACC will be giving its 7th Annual Businessperson of the Year Award and its 2^nd Annual Award for Performance Excellence and Support for AACC (to an Afghan entity) on Monday evening, the 2rd of December. The first award is given by the Board of Directors of AACC to the businessman or woman who has made a substantial contribution to the private sector and market economy in Afghanistan. The second Award is a way to recognize Afghans who have made substantial contribution to the market economy and at the same time been highly supportive of AACC's work.

The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce is the foremost non-governmental U.S. organization engaged in furthering business and development with the private sector in Afghanistan. Information about AACC and the Conference Agenda is available at www.a-acc.org. 

SOURCE Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce