Kabul, February 5, 2025 — HARAKAT, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened a high-level roundtable consultation in Kabul to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Doha meeting on Afghanistan’s private sector. The event served as a strategic platform to gather key insights and policy recommendations from a wide range of stakeholders, with the aim of revitalizing Afghanistan’s economy and supporting the work of the Private Sector Working Group (PSWG).

In light of Afghanistan’s deepening economic and financial challenges, the roundtable was designed to foster inclusive dialogue, coordination, and evidence-based policymaking. The consultation brought together representatives from the private sector, international donors, UN agencies, civil society, women-led business networks, academic institutions, and government bodies—underscoring a shared commitment to driving sustainable economic recovery.

Two thematic breakout sessions were held to address critical issues:

1. Facilitating Access to Finance and Strengthening Financial Infrastructure:
This session focused on Afghanistan’s pressing liquidity shortages, underdeveloped banking system, and the limited scope of Islamic finance. Stakeholders discussed key barriers to financial inclusion—especially for women and rural communities—and explored actionable solutions to create a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem.

2. Job Creation, Entrepreneurship, and Market Integration:
Participants examined strategies to stimulate employment and entrepreneurial activity amid ongoing challenges such as energy constraints, inadequate industrial infrastructure, restrictive trade policies, and gender-based barriers. The session emphasized the need for supportive regulations, investment in industrial parks, and regional market linkages to boost economic opportunity.

The roundtable served not only as a venue for knowledge exchange but also as a critical moment for aligning the priorities of national and international actors. The insights and recommendations emerging from the event will inform forthcoming policy discussions at the Doha platform, contributing to a unified vision for Afghanistan’s economic revitalization, job creation, and long-term sustainable development.