The first permanent expo center for industrial products opened in Kabul on Thursday and is intended to connect Afghanistan’s domestic products to regional and international markets.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industries Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani said that the air corridors will resume their operations and that the government is ready to subsidize 6% of transport costs for carpets exported anywhere except to Pakistan.

“It is very painful to see millions of dollars' worth of Afghan carpets lying in shops ... God willing, the air corridor will be operational soon,” said Ghoryani.

Some local firms meanwhile displayed their products at the expo center.

“We are producing a wide range of transformers. We have production offers from the government, private firms and markets,” said Sahil, a businessman.

Businessmen called on the government to address the issue of power shortages and to implement comprehensive programs to attract investments.

“There is a need for reforms so that the problems of businesspeople are solved,” said Younus Mohmand, the deputy head of Chamber of Commerce and Investments.

“The cash that is at banks should be provided to the private sector,” said Mohammad Ismail Ghazanfar, the head of the Afghanistan Chambers Federation.

The industrialists say they expect to see positive growth this year after two years of negative growth and a slump in business.