2. Previous Function:
Advisor to the Afghanistan Social Democratic Party (ASDP) on international affairs and media relations
Afghanistan Airfields Economic Development Commission (AAEDC) (20190624)
3. Biodata:
Jalal Khan Shams is the current Advisor to the Afghanistan Social Democratic Party (ASDP) on international affairs and media relations. As a   mid-career professional, Shams is currently working for the Afghanistan Airfields Economic Development Commission (AAEDC) at the Office of the President of Afghanistan, Presidential Palace in Kabul. He is a pro President Ashraf Ghani activist.





Background:

After the fall of Taliban regime in 2001 US and NATO forces took the lead to enable the afghan government to take the responsibility administration, good governance and promote economic opportunities in Afghanistan. Continued support from the international community, based on the London conference and followed by Kabul conference in 2010 it was proposed that the afghan government authorities will work for the betterment of economic stability, security and social life improvements, but unfortunately I did not happened, we haven’t seen positive improvements on any sector, very less massive projects implemented in last 15 years, from which most of them are now destroying because of low quality.

Most of the money which were donated by the international communities were withdrawn by their contractors, they did not implemented the projects as per contract.

Infrastructure, Agriculture, economic and others sectors are not improved, by two reasons, first the international community did not spent money on the way it’s was like to be, and secondly NRA (Non-Resident Afghan) authorities.    

Resolute Support was launched on 1 January 2015 to provide further training, advice and assistance to the afghan security forces and institutions. Following to the security transitions Resolute Support has planned to partially handover the strategic airfields that include Bagram airfield, Qandahar airfield, Helmand airfield, Herat airfield, Mazar airfield and Nangarhar airfield to afghan government. Indeed it was estimated that these airfields are worth of approximately 10.1 billion dollars that includes significant amount of facilities, equipment’s and other machineries, which requires proper operation and maintenance on regular basis. Furthermore, the Resolute Support requested the afghan government to prepare a comprehensive plan for these Airfields to hand over to afghan government. 

Afghanistan National Unity Government started work on the establishment of AAEDC commission who will be leading the airfields transition process and will provide relevant support accordingly. 

Considering the strategic geographic location, huge amount of constructed infrastructure facilities, availability of raw materials and business opportunities, GIRoA has envisioned converting these Airfields into Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which will contribute in the country export promotion, GDP increase, employment creation, economic development, security and regional cooperation in the region. Afghanistan Airfield Economic Development Commission (AAEDC) was established on 23 July 2015 by the presidential decree Number 43 of the Afghanistan National Unity Government (NUG). 

This commission was established to efficiently and economically use the airfields, which were previously transfers to Government Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and the airfields, which is supposed to be transitioned to GIROA in near future.

The AAEDC commission is comprised of Authorized Representative of the office of the NUG CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior Affairs and Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority. Daud Sultanzoy the senior advisor to President Ashraf Ghani is the Chairman of the Commission who established a well-functioning group of afghan professionals as an AAEDC secretariat who are closely working with AAEDC commission, national and international Counterparts and AAEDC local chapters.

This commission has the responsibility and authority to develop airfield business plans to maximize economic opportunities for Afghanistan. In addition to that the commission is obliged to facilitate and lead the responsible transition of Airfield, Conversion of Airfield to SEZ, Creating an efficient business environment, Capacity building/technical assistance, policy Analysis, reforms and development and building relations with national & international counterparts.