This report provides key insights from interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) conducted with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Herat, Kandahar, Balkh, and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan. The focus of these discussions was on the business environment and the specific challenges faced by women-led businesses, particularly in the agribusiness sector.
Key challenges identified include:
- Limited market access: Women-led businesses struggle to reach broader markets due to infrastructure gaps and logistical hurdles.
- Insufficient financial support: Lack of financing options restricts the growth potential of these businesses.
- Regulatory barriers: Complex and restrictive regulations impede the scale-up of agribusiness enterprises.
Despite these obstacles, the discussions highlighted several opportunities for development and expansion. Women-led businesses, primarily engaged in agribusiness production, could benefit from:
- Improved access to raw materials and technology: Enhanced resources are needed to support sustainable growth.
- Support mechanisms for market and financial access: Key to enabling business sustainability and expansion.
The representatives further emphasized the importance of addressing regulatory challenges to create a more conducive business environment. Additionally, there is potential to leverage technology for improving business operations. However, a significant knowledge and resource gap remains, necessitating targeted training and capacity-building initiatives.
Finally, the report outlines recommendations for overcoming challenges in exporting products, including:
- Streamlining export procedures
- Improving infrastructure
- Creating supportive trade policies
Collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners is crucial to establishing a robust support system for women-led agribusinesses, fostering economic growth and resilience in these provinces.
