Afghan Biographies

Ex Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA)


Name Ex Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA)
Ethnic backgr.
Date of birth
Function/Grade Background and Problems
History and Biodata

Afghanistan is due to implement the merger plan of the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) with the Ministry of Commerce and
Industries.The AdministrativeOffice of the President (AOP) said the decision has been taken to merge the parallel administrations and based
on the request of the private sector.
According to AOP, the merger of AISA will include two transition processes, including the transition of licensing to Ministry of Commerce and
Industries and modification of trade and investment law.
Deputy Commerce and Industries Minister Bari Rahman has said the target of the plan is part of the government’s commitment to
international community to merge the parallel administrations inside the government and demands by private sector to ease the process of issuing license and facilities for investments.(20160729)



BACKGROUNDER

(Source: Independent Joint Anti Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee
)
AISA’s ambiguous Legal Status and Lack of Accountability Lead to  Mismanagement of Government Resources. The  
Afghanistan   Investment   Support   Agency   (AISA) was   created   by   the   High  Commission  on  Investment  to  support 
the  development  of  the  private  sector  in  Afghanistan.


Economic development is necessary to ensure that Afghanistan has a sustainable future without reliance on development aid .
The Law  on Domestic  and  Foreign  Private  Investment  in  Afghanistanwas  adopted in 2002  to  encourage  investment  and 
established the  High  Commission  on  Investment  as the focal point for  Government investment policy.

In 2004,  AISA, also known as the Office of Private Investment was established within the framework  of  the 
Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industries  (MoCI)  to  serve  as  the  High Commission’s Secretariat and to  implement the law’s
provisions.

MEC  discovered  that  AISA  asserts  its  independence  as  a  limited  liability  corporation or  alternatively  as a  Government
entity whichever  is    more    advantageous. Furthermore AISA  has not  had to  account  to  the  Government  for  its  income 
and  expenses and has not been audited by the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) since 2006. 
 The  Ministry  of  Finance  considers
AISA to  be a Government  budgetary  unit due  to  its responsibility for public funds.

Nevertheless AISA  has not fulfilled the requirements of  a  Government  budgetary  unit and,  except  in  2005 there has  never
been an  audit conducted  by  SAO.

Moreover,  the 2005 audit revealed many deficiencies in the financial and accounting sections of AISA.

This  lack  of  oversight  has  permitted  AISA  to  spend  money  collected  for  public  services on, among other things,
exorbitant salaries and other unnecessary expenses.

The lack of accountability has been justified on the ground that AISA is a limited liability company,  as specified in the 2005  Law
on Private Investment (which replaced the 2002 law) but AISA does not even satisfy the accountability requirements for such
companies under Afghan law creating a significant accountability gap.




Management as of 20161011:
Mohammad Saber Khostwal

(Vice President Admin & Finance)

Mr. Mohammad Saber Khostwal has been working with AISA since May 27, 2014.

Mr. Khostwal holds more than 15 years experience working with government and non-government organizations. Prior joining AISA, he has worked with Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the positions of Advisor to the Minister and General Director of Oil Shirkhan Bandar- Afghanistan.

He has completed his Master’s degree from Hertzen State University of Russia on 1991.

Mohammad Aziz Bahram

(Vice President, Industrial Parks).

Mohammad Aziz Bahram started his career from Research and Policy Department of AISA in 2007 and he rejoined AISA in November 2012.
Mr. Bahram has wide experience in Proposal Writing, Project Planning, Project Development, and Managing Grants. He has worked as Senior Project Development Officer/Proposal Writer at Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Martyrs & Disabled of Afghanistan. After that, he has occupied various positions at the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock as a Land Clearance, and Planning Deputy Director, Land Lease Deputy Director as well as Land Inventory and Registration Acting Director.
He is graduated from Kabul University with a Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Economics. He also holds a diploma in Project Management and has received national and international trainings related to investment promotion skills.

Hamidullah Shafaq

(Documentation & Archive Unit Manager)

Hamidullah Shafaq has been working with AISA since 2004. Mr. Hamidullah Shafaq has vast experience in Financial Management, Business Management and Administration, Accounting, and Microfinance. As a Dari and English language teacher, he taught at Kabul Military High School and has worked in various national and international organizations. He is graduated from Kabul University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in languages and literature and a Diploma in Business Administration from Kardan Institute.

Maliha Shah

(Human Resources Director)

"Miss Maliha Shah is a dynamic personality working with AISA since 2010 and has been balancing between the decision makers and takers very smartly and smoothly since .
Miss Shah has very rich experience of over 8 years in the areas of HR, Branch Operations, Retail Banking & Customer Service at a senior level in a short span of working life. She started her career with a state owned Bank & because of the ability & competence was elevated to the position of Deputy Branch Manager of the Main Branch of Bank Millie Afghan (BMA). After that she joined AISA and completely re-engineered the HR Policies and with every other department co-created a holistic system. Then she gave the impetus & new direction to HR in AISA in her present role as the Director (HR) of the Organization.
She did her Bachelors(BA) in IR & Public Administration followed by Masters (MBA)in HR & Administration both from India."

Mohammad Samim Naeemi

(Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Mohammad Samim Naeemi has been working with AISA since 2010. Mr. Naeemi has more than five years of professional experience in Finance Management and Accounting. He has served at Central Bank of Afghanistan as a Financial Risk Manager for a year where he has assessed different Commercial banks. Mr. Naeemi completed his higher secondary School in Kabul and studied for two years in Kabul University - Faculty of Economics from where he was selected for a scholarship to India. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Finance) from Calicut University India and currently he is pursuing his Postgraduate program (MBA) in American University of Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Nadire

( Industrial Park Planning & Development Director)

Mr. Zabihullah Nadire has been working with AISA since 2009. Mr. Nadire has extensive experience in Economics Development Projects Management, Social welfare and rural development projects, Industrial Parks Development, Civil Engineering, Structure design and programs planning. He has served as lecturer and teacher of science. He is graduated from Kabul University in 2004 and got his honor of Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.

Mohammad Mustafa Jamal

(Research & Development Director)

Mohammad Mustafa Jamal is a pragmatic, research, and result oriented economic development professional. He has done his MA in Development and International Economics from Kingston University London, United Kingdom, and his BA in International Business from Dunya University of Afghanistan (DUAF), Kabul, Afghanistan, in a joint program with UMEF University, Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr. Jamal has above nine years of professional work experience in private sector development, investment promotion, and managerial positions in national and international organizations. He Possess a comprehensive view of business enabling environment and investment climate in the country. He initially joined AISA in January 2011 and left for perusing his master’s degree in September 2014 when he was working as Chief of Staff. He re-joined AISA as Director, Research and Development in February 2016.

Mr. Jamal was awarded with the prestigious Chevening Scholarships, the UK government scholarships scheme, for doing his master’s degree in the UK in 2014. He also participated in International Visitor’s Leadership Program (IVLP), the US States Department professional exchange program, for a thorough exposure to the US SME ecosystem and NAFTA practice in early 2014.

Mohammad Naeem Nizami

(Internal Audit Director)

Naeem Nizami has been working with AISA since 2012, Mr. Nizami has done MD from Nangarhar University in 2005 and has completed post graduation Diploma in Project/Financial Management, beside this, Nizami has attended several training sessions on Financial Systems, Audit/Fraud Detection etc. internally and aboard. Mr. Nizami has extensive experience of more than 13 years in Private Sector Development & Economic Initiatives. Starting his career from Managing an IT & Management Institute in year 2000 & later on as Regional Manager with AREEBA/MTN Telecom, as Branch Manager with Nangarhar Investment Cooperative Institute, Regional Manager with UNFPA & prior to the current employment as Regional Director with Asia Foundation with one of its country wide project "Performance Based Governors' Fund" for 3 years.

Hedayatullah Rahmati

Zonal Director Kandahar

Hedayatullah Rahmati has joined AISA in year 2010, after completing Afghan Turk International High school in Kandahar got a scholarship of India and has successfully completed B.A (Bachelor of Arts) Major in Economics in Jamia Millia University New Delhi.
Hedayatullah also completed a one year diploma course in Financial Accounting along with some short-term management courses there in India, he has also taught temporary courses of Management and Business Communication in two management institutes in Kandahar.
Prior to AISA he was perusing his job in a private bank, when he joined AISA he was selected as Deputy Zonal Director in Kandahar and later on promoted to the position of Zonal Director (Kandahar).

Mohammad Eisa Ahangar

Regional Manager Khost Province

Mohammad Eisa Ahangar has been working with AISA since 2007.

Mr. Eisa Ahangar previously has worked with national and international Organizations in different capacities: Admin officer at IRC, Admin Assistant at UNOPS, Monitoring and evaluation Manager at DHSA, Khost Governorship at Khost Passport Dept.

He is graduated from Islamic University, Science Faculty in 1373 and has Diploma in English Language.

Shafiq Ahmad Ahmadi

West Zone (Herat) Zonal Director

Shafiq Ahmad Ahmadi has been working with AISA since 2006.

He is graduated from Herat University, Faculty of Economics (B.A) in 2005

Mr. Shafiq Ahmad has participated Business Communication short-term course at EDI, India in 2008 and also participated International Leadership Visitors Program (IVLP) at Washington DC in 2015.

When he joined AISA he was selected as Deputy Zonal Director in Herat and later on promoted to the position of Zonal Director West Zone (Herat Province).

Mohammad Arif Hairat

(Zonal Director – North East Zone)

Arif has over four years experience on Private Sector Development, SMEs, Policy Making, Economic Policy Analysis, Research, Project Management, HRM & PR. He worked with Harakat – AICFO for two years; as the Senior Project Manager and successfully led, managed & completed five national level projects, including; Licensing Reform Project, Afghanistan National Trade Policy, Strengthening Public Private Partnership Project, Consumer Protection Project and Afghanistan Building Codes Project. He also worked with GIZ in the capacity of Economic Advisor, during his tenure in the post; he conducted a research to provide a Manual for the new traders willing to do cross border trade with Tajikistan. Beside technical experience, Arif has been involved with academic activities as well, appearing as the lecturer & guest lecturer in Economics Faculty of Kunduz University & some private universities on economic related topics since 2010. He is an ICCR scholar & holds bachelor in Economics from Fergusson College, India & two Masters’ Degree (MBA + M.A) from Andhra University, India. Arif also holds a high diploma in International Relations & National Security from JRVGTI- Pune University. He was awarded as The Best National Student by Symbiosis University & received appreciation letter from Afghanistan Embassy based in India; as Outstanding Afghan Student studying in Pune University in 2010. Arif started his career in AISA as the Regional Manager for North East Region in 2010; he resigned in Nov 2011; to get his master degree. Arif joined AISA team again and has been working with the organization as the Zonal Director for North East Region since January 2016.


AISA Management Team

President & CEO
 


Wafiullah Iftikhar


Mr. Wafiullah Iftikhar was born on April 25th, 1983.
Following his intermediate education in pre-engineering, he moved ahead with undergraduate program in Business Administration (BBA Hons) from Institute of Management Science University of Peshawar. He continued his studies pursuing post graduate degree in Business Administration and acquired MBA (Finance) degree in 2005 from the same institute.

Mr. Iftikhar started his career from Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance (MoF) in 2006 and worked in different capacities ranging from Audit Manager to Deputy Director- General Operations and finally as Director of Kabul Revenue Head Office in 2009 to March 2011. During his stay at MoF, Mr. Iftikhar has been actively involved in increasing revenue, streamlining procedures for tax collection, developing policies, directives, capacity buildings and regulation for revenue department. Following Mr. Iftikhar’s diligent working tenure at Revenue Department of Ministry of Finance and taking unprecedented working performance enacted in varying key positions. He joined Ministry of Commerce and Industries through Management Capacity Program of Civil Service Commission as the Director of Business Licensing Department in March 2011. Within a year stay at MoCI, the licensing procedures were streamlined to facilitate existing and new trade enterprises. Since May 2012, Mr. Iftikhar has been serving as the president and CEO of AISA.

 

 

Vice President, Investment
 

Muhammad Ibrahim Shams

Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim Shams was working as regional manager, east (AISA) and currently working in the capacity of Vice President on Investment in Afghanistan Investment Support Agency, Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim Shams has a degree of bachelor in business administration from Khurasan University for Higher Education, followed by the degree in English literature from the state university, Nangarhar Afghanistan. Prior to join the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) he was in title of Economic Coordinator for the Nangarhar Provincial Council, he also served as a Deputy General Manger for Khyber Afghan Group of Companies and a president of all Oil and Gas Association (OGSA) East, Afghanistan. He has a success of projects completion in building and rehabilitation of countryside primary and secondary schools in the country.

 

Vice President, Administration
 

M. Sharif Roshan Ahmadzai

M. Sharif Roshan Ahmadzai is working at AISA as Vice President Administration. Ahmadzai has more than ten years of extensive experience in the field of economic development, Investment Management and financing & International Banking. He had also served as a Vice President of Agricultural Development Bank of Afghanistan and was previously member of Board of Directors for Afghanistan Insurance Authority, Banke Millie Afghan and Pashtany Bank. Ahmadzai is a graduate of the BSC in Economics from Kabul university and BSC in Industrial Management from Institute of Industrial Management, Kabul.

 

Vice President, Industrial Parks
 


Mohammad Aziz Bahram

Mohammad Aziz Bahram started his career from Research and Policy Department of AISA in 2007 and he rejoined AISA in November 2012.
Mr. Bahram has wide experience in Proposal Writing, Project Planning, Project Development, and Managing Grants. He has worked as Senior Project Development Officer/Proposal Writer at Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Martyrs & Disabled of Afghanistan. After that, he has occupied various positions at the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock as a Land Clearance, and Planning Deputy Director, Land Lease Deputy Director as well as Land Inventory and Registration Acting Director.
He is graduated from Kabul University with a Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Economics. He also holds a diploma in Project Management and has received national and international trainings related to investment promotion skills.

 

Director, Internal Audit
 

Lutfulhaq Paserly

Mr. Lutfulhaq Paserly has completed Diploma at Business Administration from Afghanistan Relief Institute and continued his studies at Kabul University and accomplished bachelor degree in Economics (honors). He obtained potential international and local Trainings and has several years’ experiences of Leadership, Finance, Human Resource, Business Development, Marketing, Risk Management and Auditing. During his study at Kabul University, he has been selected as a Member Committee President (MCP) to AIESEC in Afghanistan from January till December 2007..

He has started his career as Risk Manager at Central Bank of Afghanistan (DAB) in begging of 2008 and has been endorsed to Market Risk Division Director and Risk management Team leader of commercial banks risk assessment till September 2010. In addition, he started teaching in the capacity of Assistant Professor at Karwan Institute of Higher Education and taught Micro and Macro Economics, Communication and Marketing subjects from January to December 2008 Mr. Paserly was assigned as member of Conservatorship team to Kabul bank Crisis and served as Marketing and development supervisor, Chief Compliance Officer Kabul Bank. Finally, he was promoted to the position of Chief Operation Officer at New Kabul Bank till June 2012.

 

Investment Support Director
 

Abdul Salam Zahed

BSC from Kabul University along with certificates in foreign trade, market economics, marketing plan, economic administration and investment privatization. Mr. Zahed has several years of experience in trade and business information analysis. He has worked for 15 years for the Ministry of Commerce in various departments.

 

Public Relation and Reporting Manager
 

Rohullah Ashrat Ahmadzai

Rohullah Ashrat Ahmadzai was born in 5th april 1987. He has completed his higher secondary School in Ansary high school. He continued his higher education and completed Law and political science Faculty of Higher Education Institue of Karwan on 2012. Besides his studying he continued to work in media section in Afghanistan and he has 10 years experience in this field.( from 2002 up to 2006 in National Radio TV, From 2006 up to 2009 in TOLO TV,Lemar TV and Arman Radio, from 2009 up to 2012 Working as a Pashto News main Presenter in 1TV), He has been working with AISA as Public Relation Manager since Oct-2013.

 

Director, Industrial Parks Management
 

Shawkatullah Farahmand

Shawkatullah Farahmand has been working with AISA since 2012. He has graduated from Economic Faculty of Kabul University on 2005 and continued his studies through a scholarship in India and acquired MBA degree from Goa University. He has above 9 years working experience in finance, economic, education and admin in national, international and governmental organizations.
He has worked in finance with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior Affairs and has been taught different subjects of economic, finance and business in Private Universities and international consulting company Maxwell Stamp PLC for several years.

 

Documentation & HCI Office Director
 

Hamidullah Shafaq

Hamidullah Shafaq has been working with AISA since 2004.
Mr. Hamidullah Shafaq has vast experience in Financial Management, Business Management and Administration, Accounting, and Microfinance. As a Dari and English language teacher, he taught at Kabul Military High School and has worked in various national and international organizations.
He is graduated from Kabul University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in languages and literature and a Diploma in Business Administration from Kardan Institute.

 

Human Resources Director
 

Maliha Shah

Maliha Shah has been working with AISA since 2010.
Miss Maliha Shah, with rich experience of over 7 years in the areas of HR, Branch Operations, Retail Banking & Customer Service at a senior level in a short span of working life. She started her career with a state owned Bank & because of the ability & competence was elevated to the position of Deputy Branch Manager of the Main Branch of Bank Millie Afghan (BMA). Then she gave the impetus & new direction to HR in AISA in her present role as the Director (HR) of the Organization.
She did her Bachelors in IR & Public Administration from India & is continuing her MBA (Last semester).

 

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
 

Mohammad Samim Naeemi

Mohammad Samim Naeemi has been working with AISA since 2010.
Mr. Naeemi has more than five years of professional experience in Finance Management and Accounting. He has served at Central Bank of Afghanistan as a Financial Risk Manager for a year where he has assessed different Commercial banks.
Mr. Naeemi completed his higher secondary School in Kabul and studied for two years in Kabul University - Faculty of Economics from where he was selected for a scholarship to India. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Finance) from Calicut University India and currently he is pursuing his Postgraduate program (MBA) in American University of Afghanistan.

 

Procurement and Contracts Director
 

Zabiullah Safi

Mr. Safi has a Bachelor of Arts in Administration & Diplomacy from Nangarhar University Faculty of Law and Political Science and MBA in Project Management from Preston University Peshawar. He has nearly nine years of experience with national and international organizations. He has served as Senior Procurement Consultant at World Bank for MoE (Ministry of Education), as Eastern Region Procurement Coordinator and Country Office Procurement Manager for Mercy Corps and as a Procurement Manager at GTR . He has been working with AISA since 2010 as Procurement and Contracting Manager.

 

Licensing Director
 

Zabihullah Ehsan

Zabihullah Ehsan was born on 15th of January 1983. He has completed his intermediat education in Nangarhar and has graduated from Political Science Faculty of Nangerhar University on 2006. He has several years of working experience in Ministry of Finance as Case Manager, Client Service Manager, Enforcement General Manager and Compliance General Manager in Medium and Large Taxpayer Offices. He has been working with AISA since October of 2012 as Licensing Manager.

 

Investors Financial Support Director
 

Mohammad Naeem Nizami

Mr. Naeem Nizami obtained his MD degree from University of Ningarhar Faculty of Medicines in 2005. In addition, he earned his EMBA in Project Management from Preston University of Pakistan and has attended a range of short courses on leadership and Financial Management. Mr. Nizami has worked in the field of economic growth initiatives and has allocations as Branch Manager for Ningarhar Investment Financial Cooperatives, Advisor to WOCCU (World Council of Credit Unions and as the Regional Manager with MTN Telecommunications. Nizami was recently working with Asia Foundation as Regional Director for one of its countrywide projects “Performance Based Governors’ Fund” for the past 3 years and has joined AISA in October 2012 as Investors’ Financial Support Fund Manager.

 

Research and Planning Director
 

Junaidullah Shahrani

Mr Junaidullah Shahrani was born on 5th march 1987, after completed his higher secondary school in 2005, in 2006 he continued his higher education in bachelor of business administration from university of pune, and in 2009 he continued his master of business administration from university of pune India. He obtained one years course in sheikh zayed university United arab emirates in international business , Mr Shahrani specialization his academic qualifications in finance, economics, banking management, business marketing.

 

Analysis and Evaluation Director
 

Asadullah Azizi

Asadullah Azizi has been working with AISA since 2012. He has wide experience in business management, finance, economic, Research, Analysis and Investment Promotion Skills.?
He has worked in Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) in different Department (Finance, Payment & Settlement, HR, Treasury and Costumer Service) and he has taught economic subjects (Project Management, Micro Economic and Accounting) in institute of Accounting and Management.
He has B.A in Economic from economic faculty of Kabul University since 2009.

 

Industrial Parks Planning Director
 

Zabihullah Nadire

Mr. Zabihullah Nadire has been working with AISA since 2009.
Mr. Nadire has extensive experience in Economics Development Projects Management, Social welfare and rural development projects, Industrial Parks Development, Civil Engineering, Structure design and programs planning. He has served as lecturer and teacher of science.
He is graduated from Kabul University in 2004 and got his honor of Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.

 

Chief of Staff
 

Mohammad Mustafa Jamal

M. Mustafa Jamal has been working with AISA since 2010.
Mr. Jamal has above eight years of working experience in business enabling environment and managerial positions in national and international organizations such as UNOPS & USAID projects, PCSCEC and private sector.
He has obtained his bachelor’s degree in International Trade from Dunya University of Afghanistan (DUA) and he currently pursues his MBA at Swiss UMEF University of Afghanistan.

 

Zonal Director Eastern Region
 

Ghulam Nabi Rahmanzai

Mr. Ghulam Nabi Rahmanzai is born in 1982 in Nangarhar Afghanistan. He currently is serving as the Zonal Director Eastern Region with Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) in Eastern Provinces of Afghanistan. Prior to joining AISA, Mr. Rahmanzai served as a Customs Analyst with TAFA Chemonics International. He had worked for various national and internationalOrganizations in close coordination with Ministry of Finance in Customs specifically with United States Aid for International Development (USAID) to improve coordination between the donor agency and the Afghan government to enhance customs revenue in Nangarhar Province.
Mr. Rahmanzai is an Executive Master in Business Administration from Preston University Pakistan and a Bachelor in Business Administration in Finance. He is an open minded intellectual who by any means strives to support Afghan government by extending his expertise in each relevant field. Mr. Rahmanzai is always willing to receive to back private sector in Afghanistan in order to enhance sustainability and a market driven economy in the long run.

 

Zonal Director South East Zone Office ,Paktia
 

Dr. Mirwais Ahmadzai

Dr. Mirwais Ahmadzai has been working with AISA since May 2013. He has been graduated from Management sciences Faculty (BBA) of Qurtuba University peshawar in 2006 and continued his studies in Pakistan and acquired MBA degree from Peshawar University through afghan set and MD from Paktia university. He has above 4 years working experience in finance, economic, teaching and admin in different organizations.
He has worked as monitoring officer and as a chief operation officer (COO) with Afghanistan center for training and development (ACTD), General Secretary of doctors and health workers union Paktia, vice chancellor of Nakhtar institute of higher education’s and has been taught different subjects of management sciences in Private institutes for several years.

 

Zonal Director Kandahar
 

Hedayatullah Rahmati

Hedayatullah Rahmati has joined AISA in year 2010, after completing Afghan Turk International High school in Kandahar got a scholarship of India and has successfully completed B.A (Bachelor of Arts) Major in Economics in Jamia Millia University New Delhi.
Hedayatullah also completed a one year diploma course in Financial Accounting along with some short-term management courses there in India, he has also taught temporary courses of Management and Business Communication in two management institutes in Kandahar.
Prior to AISA he was perusing his job in a private bank, when he joined AISA he was selected as Deputy Zonal Director in Kandahar and later on promoted to the position of Zonal Director (Kandahar).



Background:
The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA)’s ambiguous legal status and lack of oversight has put government funds and property in jeopardy of being misused. After an extensive review, the Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC) issued recommendations on 20140111, calling for an audit of AISA and a review of the transfer of industrial parks to that organization. The recommendations also address the need to reformulate the legal and regulatory framework governing AISA to ensure that appropriate oversight is exercised in the future. AISA was created by the High Council on Investment to support the development of the private sector in Afghanistan. However, MEC’s analysis reveals that AISA asserts its independence as a limited liability corporation or alternatively as a government entity whenever it is more advantageous. AISA collects fees for public services, but the income is used directly by AISA, rather than being sent to the Central Revenue Account of the government. Since 2006, AISA has never had to account to the government for its income and expenses, as other government entities do. The lack of accountability is of greater concern with the transfer of responsibility for the development of hundreds of acres of industrial park land. MEC is calling on the government to review the legitimacy of the transfer of responsibility to ensure that it conforms to the constitution and laws of Afghanistan. Drago Kos, MEC’s current chair stated it was a matter of concern AISA’s ambiguous legal status and lack of transparency was allowing it to use public resources inappropriately, particularly in relation to the use of collected fees and the administration of industrial parks. (20140111)

Last Modified 2017-03-09
Established 2014-01-11