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Email: aba@aba.af

Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) as a representative of Afghanistan Construction Sector focuses on provision of unlimited services for the construction industry with its continuous and unsparing services for the Construction Sector has held a Seminar on Afghanistan Construction Companies’ Taxation Barriers and Solutions with the support of Center for International Private Enter-

prise (CIPE), with the cooperation of Ministry of Finance. The participants were from Ministry of Commerce and Industries, and Afghan Construction Companies on Sunday, 13th of June 2010 from 01:00PM to 04:00PM at the ABA conference hall.  
The seminar was launched by opening remarks by Mr. Naeem Yassin, President of Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA). Mr. Yassin with his remarks focused on key taxation barriers which are a vicious bottleneck facing the construction sector from rapid growth and development, he named the current heavy taxation problems, which are:  

1. 2% Business Receipt Tax (BRT)
2. Taxation appraisals  
3. Absence of taxation guideline for the construction companies and toughness of tax payment declaration forms

Mr. Yassin has proposed the Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) suggestion package to the delegates of Ministry of Finance. The suggestion package contains solutions for the 2% BRT to not be imposed on construction companies, Following Mr. Naeem Yassin’s remarks, Mr. Abdul Wali Noori, Director of Rulings & Tax Exemptions has presented his comprehensive presentation on “An Overview on Afghanistan Taxation System”. In his presentation he touched the important points which were focusing the construction companies’ problems and barriers, he described the Types of Taxation, Regulations of accountancy and calculation, Define Taxes,

Declaration Forms, Objections and Payments, Additional Taxations, Taxation Penalties and Execution Decrees. He also discussed the above mentioned topics and threw light on important points related to the construction companies. After the coffee break, the discussion session was started between the Ministry of Finance delegates and the construction companies

raised their problems and discussed them with the MoF delegates. Several important issues were raised by the construction companies’ representatives along with rational reasons. The MoF delegates answered some of the question and the rest were noted by them to take further action on un-answered questions and problems.

Mr. Nesar Ahmad Salimi, Director of Foshang Construction Company has raised his question on 2% BRT applicable on construction companies and suggested acceptable reasons to the MoF delegates, which finally the delegates accepted and his suggestion were noted for further formal actions. . Following Mr. Foshange, a representative from Venco Imtiaz Construction Company has discussed

. Following Mr. Foshange, a representative from Venco Imtiaz Construction Company has discussed some banking problems and suggested the MoF to carry on a constructive assessment on banks (especially Private Banks) on how they deal with the construction companies. Following the discussion session, Mr. Mohammad Naim, Program Director for Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has summarized and concluded the seminar. Mr. Naim had an overview on CIPE vision and mission and its key activities in strengthening the private sector in Afghanistan. Mr. Naim expressed his gratitude and thanked the Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) being a cooperative and supportive .

co-partner with the CIPE on conducting programs to empower and strengthening private sector and boost the privatization in AfghanistanMr. Naim stated that CIPE is always struggles to identify the roots of bottlenecks and problems which the private sectors face and prevent them from rapid growth and development. Strengthening Business Advocacy Program is specimen of CIPE’s mission in

promoting and empowering the Construction Private Sector in Afghanistan.Mr. Naim expressed CIPE’s satisfaction on successful conduct of Strengthening Business Advocacy Program by ABA; he also pledged that more programs and projects will be granted for ABA to conduct it.  Consequently, the seminar has ended up with the following achievements:

The seminar which was held by the Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) with the support of Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and with the cooperation of Ministry of Finance has concluded with constructive and considerable achievements, which are:

• Identification of construction sector problems and barriers, and proposed constructive suggestions to the Ministry of Finance to overcome the current problems
• ABA is a close partner and supporter of the Ministry of Finance in raising the revenue of the government through tax collection from the construction sector, while heavy taxation shall be reduce by the Ministry of Finance from the shoulders of the construction companies  
• A full suggestion package containing solutions for the current problems of the construction sector has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance delegates
• Agreement of Ministry of Finance on reforming and amending the current taxation laws, and has to be approved and ratified by the Afghan Parliament for enforcement.
• The current suggestion will be discussed with MoF high ranks and top decision makers at the Ministry
• Inclusion of ABA along with other influential organizations (AISA, ACCI and others) in amendment process of the current taxation laws of the construction sector.
• ABA as a representative of construction sector will attend the reformation and amendment meetings as an advisor and will cooperate in consulting the Ministry of Finance on formulation of new taxation laws.
• ABA will also expand its advocacy within the Afghan parliament in order to lobby for the betterment of taxation laws for the construction sector
• Submission of a detailed suggestion package to Ministry of Finance on construction companies’ banking problems and solutions
• There shall be a separate taxation law for the construction sector
• Mutual-cooperation between government and the construction sector has been established and will
• CIPE pledge to grant more projects and programs to ABA  in order to support and boost the process of privatization in Afghanistan

Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) 5th General Assembly Report

Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) has held its 5th General Assembly with the support of Elite Construction Company to re-elect its Board of Directors and present the ABA annual activity report on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 8:30AM to 3:00PM at the InterContinental Hotel, Kabul-Afghanistan.

The high ranks from ministries; New Kabul City (DCDA), Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), World Bank, Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations, more than 200 Afghan Construction Companies and national and international media were participated in this event. The program was inaugurated by recitation of Holy

Quran and a welcome remark by Mr. Assad Mattin, Senior Advisor to Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA), Mr. Mattin has thanked all the participants for attending the 5th General Assembly of ABA.Subsequently, Mr. Naeem Yassin president of Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) has presented a comprehensive presentation on ABA annual activities. Mr. Yassin has appreciated the USAID, AICC and other donors who helped in emergence of ABA as a representative and supporter of the construction sector in Afghanistan, he later on throw light on activities of ABA in different fields, such as providing and conducting training courses for construction companies, advocating the rights of construction companies through advocacy programs, providing technical and professional services for the construction companies and more over. Mr. Yassin has stated that ABA is struggling to expand its regional office throughout the country.he mentioned that despite opening regional branches in Jalalabad and Kandahar which covers the southern and south-eastern provinces, ABA will soon open its next regional branches in Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat and Paktia (Gardez) to providemore services for the Afghan construction companies. The guests and participants were warmly applauded the

unsparing struggles of ABA to overcome the construction companies problems and better provision of technical and professional services for the construction companies in various areas. After the break Mr. Naeem Yassin was later on interviewed with the national and international media on various construction companies’ problems, ABA current and future activities, and more over.

Following Mr. Naeem Yassin’s presentation, Mr. M. Qurban Haqjo CEO to Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has presented its momentous speech on the important role of ABA in the socio-economic development of Afghanistan. He stated that construction sector plays a vital role in the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Afterwards, Mr. Mohammad Yosuf Pashtun, senior advisor to the president of Afghanistan, has presented his broad presentation on the key role and importance of Afghanistan Builders Association in rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan, he stated that Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) as a representative of the Afghan construction sector shall be focused, empowered and

backed by the Islamic government of Afghanistan in order to emerge as a dominant and dynamic institution and be a key partner of the Islamic Government of Afghanistan in carrying out the construction projects within the country through its members. Mr. Pashtun has promised to propose the fore above mentioned issue with the office of the president soon.

Consequently, Dipl. Eng. Ghulam Sakhi Hasanzada member of Independent Board for the Development of New Kabul City & CEO of DCDA has presented his detailed presentation on New Kabul City (Dehsabz City & Barikab Agricultural Economic Zone) and its upcoming projects. Mr. Hasanzada has stated that the New Kabul City project is a unique and mega financed project in the history of Afghanistan.

Mr. Hasanzada with his broad vision for the development of Afghanistan has mentioned that “Provision of proper shelter for the people of Afghanistan especially for the children of Afghanistan is my only dream” he also stated that New Kabul City project will change the life style, improves living conditions, improves socio-economic and agricultural development of Afghanistan. Later on Mr. Hasanzada has deeply explained the mapping, designing and implementation processes of New Kabul City and the role of ABA and the construction companies in such a mega project. According to Mr. Hasanzada the New Kabul City (Dehsabz City & Barikab Agricultural Economic Zone) total project value will reach to $34 billion until 2025. At the end Mr. Hasanzada has thanked ABA on providing such an opportunity for DCDA to present its vision and mission. 

In turn, Mr. William. M. Weaver, Deputy ASBD, USACE-AED has presented his remarks on USACE current and upcoming projects. He emphasized on requirements of USACE contracting office from the construction companies and guided them on those requirements to be provided in the proposals, following Mr. Weaver, Mr. Paul A Ocker has presented a power point

presentation to introduce the upcoming projects of USACE relating to ANA, ANP, O&M, Roads, and Sustainable Development. Mr. Ocker stated that USACE will contract about 1,860m USD for the year 2010. Consequently, there was a Q&A session between the construction companies and the USACE representatives and they have discussed related issues.

Mr. Weaver has presented his gratitude on behalf of USACE and thanked the ABA and pledged their cooperation and support to improve the Afghan construction sector through ABA.   Representing the Ministry of Urban Development, Eng. Zarghona Mamozai, Director of Buildings Directorate of Ministry of Urban Development, has presented her statement on various construction issues. Eng. Mamozai suggested that the Islamic Government of Afghanistan, ABA and all the construction companies pay their attention on quality of construction, construction materials import to Afghanistan, international standards to be applied in Afghanistan construction system, focusing on qualification and capacity development of labors and the last, but not the least she stated that the mentioned suggestions shall be followed up by Islamic Government of Afghanistan and Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA). Eventually, she thanked the Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) on providing considerable services for the Afghan construction sector and conducting such constructive gatherings.

Subsequently, Mr. M. Hashim Paeman, Senior Contracting Officer from Elite Construction Company and Mr. Michael L Klyne, VP Business Development for Elite Construction Company have presented their articles on Construction Business in Afghanistan. Opportunity, Challenges & Solution, they have stated that Afghanistan is still at the early stages of development

and we must shape our destiny to rebuild this post conflict country. ABA as a representative of Afghan construction sector and a dynamic institution has considerably served the Afghan construction sector by providing certified vocational training, supporting the Afghanistan Building Code and Standards and advocating the construction companies’ rights and struggling to professionalize the construction companies through the Certification program. They have also stated that Elite Construction Company with having qualified, professional and educated management and staff, is strongly supporting the ABA. The first session was ended up with presenting the future plans of ABA by Mr. Assad Mattin. Mr. Mattin has focused on future plans of ABA which warmly appreciated by the construction companies and guests.

The second session which was the election process of Board of Directors of ABA opened by Mr. Assad Mattin, he briefly explained the polling process, vote counting and declaration of the Board of Directors. The announcement for candidacy for the ABA Board of Directors was announced in local newspapers (Anis & Kabul Times), ABA website and ABA members were

simultaneously informed via email and phone 10 days prior to the Election Day.  There were about 11 candidates for the Board of Directors. The candidates were: Click here

ABA members have voted for their interested candidates, in order to support their association by their ballots. A strong ABA can better represent the construction sector at the national and international level. The voting system was to elect 7 candidates among 11 candidates per ballot Afterwards, the Vote counting process has been started and 3 persons were selected among the

participants to count the votes, 3 persons were selected as pollsters to oversight the vote counting and a lady was selected as head of pollsters and oversight team.
The total ballots were reached to 196 which among them 2 votes were identified as an invalid ballot by the oversight team. The candidates secured the following votes respectively:Click here

As per the ABA statute there shall be 7 members in the Board of Directors with higher secured votes in the election. The Election Oversight Team therefore, declared the following members as the ABA Board of Directors for the year 2010 – 2013: Click here:

Following the election process the elected members of ABA Board of Directors met to conclude the gathering. The meeting agenda was to have a mutual introduction between the elected members of Board of Directors and elect the president and vice-president of Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA) highlight important issues. Eventually, Mr. Naeem Yassin was re-elected as the president of Afghanistan Builders Association (ABA)

and Mr. Mowdood Popal was elected as the Vice-President of ABA. The ABA 5th General Assembly was later on concluded by Mr. Assad Mattin senior advisor for the ABA.