Weekly Update: South Asia

Afghanistan – The CIPE Afghanistan staff met with the Federation of Afghanistan Craftsmen and Traders (FACT) to discuss progress toward implementing the recommendations in the Afghanistan National Business Agenda, which was launched in March 2011. FACT reported several policy successes, including the allocation of land for 250 confectioneries outside Kabul, the extension of contracts of 300 shopkeepers in the Microrayan area of Kabul, and the preparation of a property leasing law that will now be reviewed by the Ministry of Justice. In addition, the city authorities in Jalalabad and Herat have agreed to halt the practice of price-fixing on goods for sale in markets.

Nepal – The research team of Samriddhi, The Prosperity Foundation, held a number of meetings with key advisors and stakeholders, including the Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Nepal Tourism Board, as part of its work on the Nepal Economic Growth Agenda (NEGA). A draft version of the NEGA will be ready next week for a series of five regional consultations before the final report is released.