Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) was established in September 2003 in accordance with a directive issued by the Government

of Afghanistan as a One Stop Shop for Investors. AISA has been charged with the responsibilities of registration, licensing and promotion of all new investments in Afghanistan. Vision, Mision and Values VISION To become a world-class investment promotion and support agency by ensuring a businessfriendly environment for private sector development and thereby robust and sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan. MISSION To create sustainable enterprise development particularly small and medium by providing quality services to investors, facilitating cross border partnerships, advocating business enabling measures & reforms and by promoting Afghanistan as an attractive business and investment destination proactively. Values 1. Integrity 2. Excellence through total quality. 3. Respect 4. Commitment 5. Initiative, pro-activity and enthusiasm 6. Perseverance and discipline 7. solidarity Who we are AISA began as an agency that provided licenses to companies wishing to invest in Afghanistan. AISA has now evolved into a pro-active institution in promoting and attracting investment to Afghanistan. To meet the objective of investment promotion we have restructured AISA as follows: Licensing Department: this department processes investment licenses and facilitates the necessary permits on behalf of investors and vis a vis other relevant Afghan government agencies. It continuously strives to improve processes and procedures and also supports set up and development of license preparation services at AISA's Regional Offices and this makes for proper communication, ensuring that AISAs licensing rules and procedures are properly kept in all Regional Offices. 2. Investment Promotion Department: this department organizes domestic and foreign conferences and exhibitions to promote investment and provides opportunities for matchmaking between companies and investors to proactively assist investors through the investment process. In addition, this department conducts media and information campaigns to promote investment initiatives, as well as provide information
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on government policies and regulations to promote a transparent investment environment. 3. Research and Policy Department: this department serves to analyze private sector development issues, develop private sector strategies, complete sector-specific studies on business and investment opportunities, and engage in hands-on sector policy advocacy before the Parliament and Afghan government agencies. 4. Investors Support Department: this department offers individual client services during the entire pre & post investment phase. Services include: provision of initial information and advice for foreign and domestic investors: market situation, legal framework, customs, taxation, insurance, availability of key inputs, support programs, investment incentives and opportunities; o continuous contact to key investors (each investor support manager has his/her assigned clients to be assisted during the whole process: one phase to the customer); o facilitating support to investor from other government or private bodies (e.g. private Business Development Services, chambers, donor projects); o individual troubleshooting for investors o close contacts/good relations to key government and other key agencies o training of license holders on important topics (e.g. marketing, bidding procedures esp. for domestic SMEs) o post investment support for key investors (e.g. on double taxation, legal advice, provision of contacts and information, troubleshooting, visa problems/services).
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Industrial Parks Development Department: the development of Industrial Parks is a very high priority given that the main constraints currently identified by investors are access to land and electricity. IPDD is responsible for the development as well as management of new and modern industrial parks. The Department is currently responsible for managing three USAID-funded industrial parks in Kabul, Mazar and Kandahar and overseeing the contraction of two more parks in Jalalabad and Kabul. IDPD is in the process of developing a regulatory and institutional framework and management plan to effectively coordinate the Industrial Parks development. 6. Regional Offices: Our Regional Offices, in close cooperation with AISAs Licensing Department in Kabul, prepare licensing documents for AISA headquarters to process. They contribute proactively to mainly domestic support and promotion activities and cooperate closely with the Investment Promotion and Investor Support Departments. They also establish very close cooperation with and support to local government institutions so as to facilitate investments regionally and also are responsible for informing the public on AISAs activities and objectives. AISA has now regional offices in Herat, Kandahar, Mazari Sharif and Jalalabad.
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Foriegn Investment Guide

Getting started in a new business is a challenge in any environment. Getting started in a country where the economy is in transition and the government is new is an even greater challenge. This guide is designed to provide a short overview of some essentials for market entrants. It will try to point out the major issues that are relevant for most businesses, but will not elaborate in depth on each topic.
Oure Services The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA), stands ready to provide investors with assistance and the most up-to-date information available on Afghanistans investment opportunities. AISA has several programs specifically designed to aid incoming businesses. Our staff is able to provide potential investors with assistance based on their companys particular requirements and to expedite everything from preliminary investigations to final site negotiations. AISA can also identify potential joint venture partners. AISAs main concern is to solve or eliminate problems which might arise for new businesses. AISA will support investors in filling out the Investment Application Form and the Application for tax identification number as provided by the Ministry of Finance.

In line with our mission AISA provides to investors the following specific services:

Online investment inquiry options All necessary permits, licenses and clearances including online license application General information on investment opportunities

Afghanistan Laws Investment laws exist to develop the country's industries, establish a competitive investment environment and discourage monopolies. The law provides a host of incentives to registered investments and sets into place systematic procedures by which local or foreign companies or business projects can easily register. In recent years Afghanistan has taken strides forward in improving, upgrading and modernizing its laws. In this section AISA has compiled most laws in their updated versions for your reference, with special emphasis on investment-related laws.

Banking Law Investment Law Hydrocarbons Law Income Tax Law Insurance Law Minerals Law Customs Law Environmental

Labour Law Other Laws

Resources & Studies To fulfill its role as a "One-stop Shop" for investors, the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) is committed to providing accurate and reliable information and data on investment opportunities, climate, environment and historical background in Afghanistan. AISA feels that direct public access to updated information is essential not only to potential investors abroad, but to those investors already operating in Afghanistan who want to learn about their surrounding environment, and to interested researchers and students as well. Should you require additional investment-related research support or information, we encourage you to visit AISA.

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