Union of Craftspersons / Kabul: (Central Business Registry)
On Jun 7, 2009, the ACBR Public Outreach Working Group conducted an awareness workshop for 18 chairmen and deputy chairmen of different guilds of Afghanistan Guild Union on establishment and activities of ACBR within the MoCI.
The Working Group distributed leaflets on ACBR, Four New Commercial Laws and gave detailed information to the participants about cheap, fast and simplified registration process carried out in less than two hours in one-stop-shop within MoCI.
The awareness workshop was launched for second group of the Union members with cooperation of Afghanistan Guild Union. Participants expressed their satisfaction over the establishment and activities of CBR, and requested MoCI to carry out the process of issuing and registering craftsman’s licenses in MoCI as well, so that they can undergo this process easily, cheaply and in less time.
At the end of workshop questions were answered raised by participants,.
Awareness of 120 Businesswomen of the Establishment
of Central Business Registry
Intercontinental Hotel/Kabul May 20, 2009 (ACBR)
Afghan businesswomen have a day full of joy and excitement. 60 young women and girls have been waiting to receive graduation certificates of Business Training from American College in Afghanistan. They have decorated their tables with beautiful and desirable handicrafts of Afghan women in the Ballroom of Intercontinental Hotel and have been waiting beside their tables with their cheerful faces to discuss the nature of their work and future plans with domestic and foreign participants.
ACBR Public Outreach Working Group attended this conference to make aware the participant businesswomen of the objective of establishing ACBR as one-stop-shop for business registration. After briefed about the activities of ACBR, Mrs. Maryam one of the participants of this conference said: “Having such information is very essential for every entrepreneur, because the experience of the past years has shown to businesswomen that lack of information regarding commercial law and liabilities have faced them with trade development obstacles and economic problems.
Arzo, a young girl of 20, has decorated her table with engraved wooden crafts. She has also completed business training course as others and wish to expand the production of this industry and promote her business once she receives financial support. Arzo says: “I seek to obtain further information regarding business occupation and start of a business and to know what to do for owning a better and successful business.”
These 60 graduates are the organizers of 48 decorated tables with different products and commercial plans at the Ball Room of Intercontinental. Bahishta a young lady has decorated her table with magazines, cosmetics and hygiene items. “After training in different fields of business, we hope to put in practice what we have learned within one year and make others understand that women can also participate in development of their own, family and Afghanistan economy.” She added. I asked Bahishta a question if she is aware about the process of starting business activity, getting license and its registration process? While replying she says: “yes, first we must have capital, then get the license to start my business; but, I will obtain information on how to get a license and where to register it, later on.” The ACBR Public Outreach Working Group gives Bahishta a file containing detailed information on establishment and activities of ACBR, brochures of laws on establishing corporations and commercial dispute settlements, brochures of ACBR explaining the registration procedures at ACBR and a fact sheet containing brief information on Agency Law, Trademarks Law, Patent Law, Movable and Immovable Mortgage Law in bank transactions to study them and guide her friends in this regard.
Training and Self-sufficiency High plan
Business training program provided by Thunderbird School of Global Management with cooperation of Afghanistan American College, covers training of business foundations for creation of employment, management, accounting and finance, network establishment, and strategic planning as a result of these training, participants have enjoyed high level of financial self-sufficiency and they will be able to play their role in development of Afghanistan economy.
ACBR Public Outreach Working Group invited by American College in Afghanistan at this gathering and exhibition to make aware businesswomen of the manner of registration process under one-stop-shop and simplification of obtaining business license deem their duty to distribute leaflets, explaining the purpose of establishment and activities of CBR, to each of businesswomen and in addition, tell them orally that what constructive steps have been taken by MoCI to provide facilities for business community and to legalize businesses in the country.
Simplification of registration process in less than two hours which previously took one month, creation of a new system for business registration fees in a fixed and transparent manner (500 AFA), and removal of corruption grounds which all made registration and licensing process easy, cheap and fast, are of the CBR key messages to the audience (businesswomen).
Mrs. Malalai is the first graduate who has received financial support and established the Silk Production Company namely Hilala Company, after she finished business training. She says: “I have taken my business license from AISA, but I don’t know what process is to be followed. I just know that for starting a business activity, the license is necessary.”
“We are those who want to do business and this is very important for us to know what the responsibilities of a trader are, so that he/she has a legitimate business and is aware of the risks in this regard.” She added.
ACBR Public Outreach Working Group with the outreach team of MoCI Private Sector Department considered it necessary to launch public awareness workshops on laws and business registration process during negotiations with businesswomen and 60 graduates of business training who turned toward this profession recently.
To make aware principle audiences of CBR who are traders, the ACBR Public Outreach Working Group provide public awareness opportunities for having a legalized business in coordination with the relevant authorities which here we can mention of the cooperation extended by American College in Afghanistan.
Participants and business training graduates in this forum not only get the business valid document, but also may attain brief information on commercial laws and CBR. Meanwhile, they can show their capability in areas such as business, self-sufficiency and economic growth of the country. Afghan businesswomen interest in working and training fields are the opportunities which must be utilized efficiently.
