The Economic Commission’s Regular Meeting Conducted; Several Decisions Made

The Economic Commission held its regular meeting led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund to discuss a variety of topics listed on the agenda.The report submitted by the Ministry of Finance regarding tax reduction for small businesses to support their growth was approved. This was an extension of a previous decision made in April 2022 to reduce the tax on small businesses from 1.5 to 0.5 percent, resulting in an increase in their numbers and an improvement in the business climate. The Ministry's report highlighted the successful collection of hundreds of millions of Afghanis in the state treasury and the resolution of issues faced by businessmen Furthermore, based on the request of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the import of raw salt has been allowed temporarily according to the defined mechanism and urged the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum to adopt policies and actions to ensure Afghanistan's self-sufficiency in domestic resources in the field of salt. In addition, a committee was formed under the Ministry of Finance to investigate the reserves of salt mines and the production capacity of factories in Afghanistan. The meeting also mandated factories and companies producing mineral water and non-alcoholic beverages in Kabul city to source their water needs from surface water sources outside of Kabul using tankers.  Additionally, the committee formed under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs was tasked with creating a clear and practical procedure to gradually relocate mineral water and non-alcoholic beverage production factories, and greenhouses to another suitable location outside of Kabul city to ensure sustainable water sources for the capital.