At least 60 female entrepreneurs have attended a five-day exhibition in the city of Herat in the west of the country which is aimed at supporting businesses run by women.
The West Zone Women’s Chamber of Commerce organized the event that started on Thursday, June 22, with the aim of improving women’s businesses.
Chairperson of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce in the west zone, Adiba Waziri said the exhibition was held to welcome the upcoming Eid al-Adha to showcase and sell women’s handicrafts.
She expressed her hope that the event help to improve women’s economy in the province.
Frozan Nek Farjam, a beauty products producer, emphasized the importance of exhibitions like this to promote and introduce products her products to buyers.
“We are trying to introduce herbal products and medicine to the people. When we were at the Afghan-Lajward exhibition, on the first day, no one paid much attention, but after that, it was well received. These exhibitions can be effective,” she said.
Shiwa, a visitor to the event, said that people should try to buy local products to support domestic businesses in the country.
“We have displayed handicrafts and food. We hope to find an opportunity to improve our business,” said Amini, a woman entrepreneur.
It was the 16th women’s handicrafts exhibition in Herat in the past two years.
“I am happy about such events as it will help our businesses to improve,” said Darya, a woman investor.
While it aims to promote women’s businesses and trade opportunities, the World Bank has reported that Afghanistan ranks among the worst countries for women in trade, alongside Yemen and Sudan.
The report cited factors such as poor policies, violence, and war, gender discrimination and an unstable environment within the country’s business and institutional structures as significant obstacles to women’s economic advancement and income.
