KUNDUZ AGFAIR REVIVES CROSS-BORDER TRADE BETWEEN TAJIK AND AFGHAN ENTREPRENEURS

To stimulate cross-border trade and economic growth in Tajikistan and Aghanistan,  USAID organized an Agricultural Fair in Kunduz, Afghanistan on June 18-21, the first in the province.  Embassy Kabul Charge de Affaires Christopher Dell and the Governor of Kunduz Province Muhhamad Omar opened the fair; Saifullo Saidov, Chairman of the Tajik-Afghan Friendship Society, represented Tajikistan. Hundreds of Tajik and Afghan entrepreneurs displayed their products and discussed future opportunities for doing business.  Charge Dell referred to the "historic event" as the latest effort by the United States to raise the level of prosperity and improve quality of life for the region's residents.

U.S. AND CENTRAL ASIA DELEGATIONS MEET TO DISCUSS FRAMEWORK FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT

The forth annual meeting of the Council of the U.S. - Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was held in Dushanbe June 17-18 and brought together delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the United States, which was lead by Acting Assistant U.S.Trade Representative Mark Mowrey.  Participants reviewed the state of economic cooperation on investment and trade within the Central Asian Region and between the region and the United States. more

EMBASSY AND "CHILD RIGHTS CENTER" HOST SPORTS DAY FOR COMMUNITY YOUTH

As part of the U.S. embassy’s ongoing commitment to supporting community initiatives throughout Tajikistan the embassy hosted the first Sports and Leadership Day 2008 for at-risk youth on Saturday, June 14. The embassy’s Marine Security Guard detachment used “Toys for Tots” donations to invite 30 children, both boys and girls, from local community projects for a day of sports and recreation activities at the Embassy with local and international staff, and alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs.  Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson presented prizes to the top teams in the soccer tournament. The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Marine Security Detachment, Regional Security Office, Public Affairs Section and the local NGO Child Rights Center. press release

FIGHTING THE OPIUM TRADE IN AFGHANISTAN: MYTHS, FACTS, AND SOUND POLICY

The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ISAF and international partners, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, are now engaged in a comprehensive initiative to fight the production and trafficking of opium in Afghanistan. The following fact sheet is aimed at correcting some of the myths about the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan, and to clarify how the counterdrugs programs address the situation on the ground. read the fact sheet in English and Russian