Afghanistan Trade Show Support Activity (TSS)

Self-reliance through reliable partnerships

Context

The Government of Afghanistan has prioritized economic development and revitalization as a means of reducing political instability, mitigating social unrest, and preventing economic collapse. To support this goal of economic development, the Trade Show Support activity (TSS) works to improve market linkages leading to increased investments into Afghan business, increased exports for Afghan companies and better supplies of critical goods, including pharmaceuticals, through the facilitation of trade shows, business and investment events, exhibitions, and other fora where Afghan businesses can interact with potential buyers and importers. This support includes hosting Passage to Prosperity, the major annual trade shows with Afghanistan’s long-term trade partner, India.

Approach

To support USAID in achieving their goal of economic development in Afghanistan, Dexis, through a subcontract with Davis Management Group, is supporting Afghan businesses make new and lasting business connections at trade shows by connecting Afghan traders and international buyers through facilitated matchmaking events. We are also supporting those businesses to track the value of their participation in each trade show through monitoring and evaluation of the key success factors for their businesses and USAID’s investment in each event.

Achievements

• At the second annual Passage to Prosperity Trade Show (P2P2) in Mumbai, India, the program facilitated 568 matchmaking meetings between Afghan and international businesses which resulted in to over $370 million in signed pre-contract and contract agreements.
• The P2P2 Trade Show resulted in transformative deals, such as two MOUs signed between Afghan business Kam Air and international businesses Hercules Aviation and Rahat for multi-modal distribution of cargo and passengers out of Delhi and Mumbai. Such agreements have the potential to greatly expand trade routes between the two countries and therefore contribute to an enabling environment of trade and economic cooperation.
• At the 2019 DOMOTEX International Flooring Trade Show in Hannover, Germany, the program supported the attendance of 28 Afghan businesses, who collectively made over $11 million in sales.