. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/142 
17 December 2005 
 (05-6162) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
AFGHANISTAN 
 
Statement Circulated by HE Mr Hedayat Amin Arsala
 
Minister of Commerce and Senior Advisor to the President  
(As an Observer) 
 
  It is a great honour for my delegation to take part in the sixth Ministerial Conference since our 
admission as an acceding country in December 2004.  I would like to thank Ms Amina Mohammad, 
the Chairperson of the General Council and Mr Pascal Lamy, Director-General, for their new 
approach for the preparation of the draft text  for the conference which allowed even acceding 
countries to participate and be fully aware of the enjeu x of the issues to be discussed. 
  The Government is fully aware of the chang es in the global economy over the last decade.  
The twin processes of globalization and liberalizati on, combined with rapid advances in information 
and communication technologies, have opened up a ne w era in terms of government policies, firms' 
organization and multilateral disciplines.   Trade is recognized as an integral component of economic revival of the country.  Imports 
can bring in essential goods and services, while exports can restore incomes and livelihoods. 
  This is why the formulation of trade policies,  procedures, and the establishment of institutions 
were recognized as immediate priorities.  These policies included decisions about import regimes, a regulatory framework, import and export controls , insurance, payments, customs and transit 
arrangements.  Reforms to our tariff, customs and ta x systems have greatly reduced transaction costs.  
Our central bank is autonomous, international co mmercial banks have be gun operations under new 
regulations, and the Government strictly implemen ts no-deficit financing.  The Government is 
committed to a market-oriented economy that ca n take advantage of preferential access to 
international markets.  
 Since 2002, much has changed in Afghanistan,  and with these changes the confidence of the 
Afghan people in the future of our country h as increased.  The Government has significantly 
improved the economic climate.  Afghanistan is ri ch in natural resources, including coal, copper and 
iron.  Preliminary exploration indicates that Afghanist an is highly likely to have sizeable deposits of 
oil and gas.  Traditionally, the country has also had a strong agricultural sector.  Afghanistan was the 
largest exporter of dried fruits and nuts in the regi on.  Business linkages are being re-established with 
foreign markets.  These linkages could, in an appropriate time, allow local firms access to international markets, finance, technology and managerial skills.   Being a land-locked developing country (LLDC)  can, however, hamper the process.  We are 
convinced that this situation can, with an appropria te enabling international trading environment, be 
turned into an asset by becoming an efficient tran sit location between Centra l Asia, South Asia, and 
the Indian Ocean.  The Government is committed  to build an efficient trading and transport WT/MIN(05)/ST/142 
Page 2  
 
 infrastructure.  The Government will continue to focus on building roads to re-establish Afghanistan 
as the land bridge four trans-continental trade.  Upon completion of Afghanistan's ring road, every 
major Central Asian capital will be less than 32 hours from the Persian Gulf, Iran and the port of 
Karachi, Pakistan.  
 The past four years witnessed great achievement s.  Yet, establishing a stable, democratic and 
prosperous Afghanistan requires sustained and coll aborative efforts by us, our neighbours and the 
international community.  Working together for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan is not only a 
successful example of international cooperation, bu t will also contribute to regional prosperity and 
global security. 
 
 Last November in Kabul the official launch of Afghanistan's accession process reaffirmed that participation in the international trading syst em will lead to more trad e, investment, technology 
transfer, employment and income growth througho ut the economy.  The Government is convinced 
that there is a need for positive efforts to ensure for us a share of growth in international trade 
commensurate with the needs of our economic development. 
  In the current round of negotiations, and specifically the Hong Kong Conference, is a great opportunity to enhance the integration of the least developed countries (LDCs) like Afghanistan in the 
multilateral trading system by offering th e LDC's a viable development package. 
 
 We are convinced that the accession of the LD Cs will make the WTO truly global in scope 
and membership and this should be accelerated in  line with the guidelines on LDC accession adopted 
by the General Council in December 2002.  This  can only strengthen further the rule based 
multilateral trading system. 
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