Afghanistan to grant multiple entry visa to Indian businessmen

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan said that it will offer multiple entry visa to Indian businessmen on a long term basis with a view to bolstering economic ties with India.

"Afghanistan will be extending multiple entry visa for Indian businessmen on a long term basis with a view to strengthen economic ties with India," Ambassador of Afghanistan in India Shaida Mohammad Abdali said at a Federation of Indian Exports Organisations (FIEO) event here.

Abdali added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed between FIEO and Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA) shortly for providing information on standard requirements of their respective countries, capacity building and exchange programme.

Meanwhile, DG & CEO of FIEO Ajay Sahai said: "Bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan has only witnessed modest growth in last four years and there is urgent need to diversify the exports and imports between the two countries".

Abdali said Afghanistan has announced New Investment Incentive Policy for attracting investment on long term basis (10 years) in sectors such as industry, construction, export promotion, agriculture and mining wherein the investor would be provided five years rent free location, concessional electricity and import of machinery without tax.

Indian exports to Afghanistan are dominated by man-made filament apparels, pharmaceuticals, gems & jewellery and tobacco while dry-fruits, lac including gum resin contribute to 95 per cent of imports from Afghanistan.