OSCE Centre brings together Afghan and Tajik entrepreneurs to discuss cross-border trade

KURGHONTEPPA, Tajikistan, 6 December 2007 - A forum supported by the OSCE Centre to promote cross-border trade between Tajikistan and Afghanistan opened in the Tajik city of Kurghonteppa today.

The two-day international business forum brings together entrepreneurs, public organizations and high-ranking officials from the two countries, including Afghanistan's Ambassador to Tajikistan, Sayd Muhammad Khayrkhon.

"This forum is part of the Centre's work to strengthen business contacts between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and it is in line with the decision taken by the OSCE participating States in Madrid at the end of November to expand the OSCE's engagement in Afghanistan," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Centre in his opening statement.

"We also hope that the event will contribute to the international community's peace-building efforts in Afghanistan."