Afghan Government To Use Only Domestic-Made Products
Ambassdor Karl Eikenberry said the U.S. Army has already injected more than $1 billion into the local economy.
June 12, 2009
KABUL -- Afghan government officials in Kabul will be using only Afghan-made items in their public offices, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.
Economy Minister Jalil Shams told the cabinet on June 10 that, in an effort to support the economy during the global economic crisis, all officials in the country should use only Afghan-made products.
He said every year Afghanistan spends $5 billion-$6 billion to purchase products from abroad when that money could stay in the country.
U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, who was present at the session, said he had already ordered U.S. personnel working in Afghanistan to use only Afghan-made products.
He said the USAID office in Kabul spent $240 million to buy Afghan-made products last year and that U.S. Army units in Afghanistan injected more than $1 billion into the economy.
UN envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide also assured Afghan authorities that the UN office in Kabul gives priority to Afghan-made items.