Page 93

His Majesty The King opening the Second International Exhibition in Kabul from the Soviet Union's Sofracht came to Kabul and held talks with the authorities of the Department of General Transport. To ease the transport of goods over the Oxus (Amu) River to Kabul and other areas the Ministry of Trade has established an office entitled Bandar-Wali (Port Authority) at Kizil Kala. This office will be responsible for all works and activities in the northern ports such as Kizil Kala, Tashguzar and Kilift. D. International Exhibition at Kabul. The establishment of international exhibitions throughout the world has been considered very favourable for the development and expansion of trade relations and the sale of goods. In 1337 an international exhibition was held in Kabul to introduce Afghanistan's traditional industries and goods. Invitations were sent to friendly countries for their participation in the exhibition, and as a result several nations did participate. The 1337 exhibition in Kabul was more attractive and covered greater territory than the one which was held two years before. In all some forty Afghan institutions and fourteen foreign governments, as well as several foreign private organisations (which have agencies in Afghanistan) participated in the international exhibition. The occasion was held to be both successful and effective. During 1337 Afghan representatives participated in an international exhibition held in Italy between December 6th and 21st, 1958. Afghanistan also took part in India's Industrial Exhibition, when a delegation headed by the Afghan Minister of Trade was invited to India. Another Afghan delegation also joined in the Cairo Industrial Exhibition. INTERNAL TRADE The Ministry of Trade has taken considerable interest in the development of internal commerce and in furnishing ways and means for the purchase of goods and their export, as well as such other items as sorting and packing, and the transport of goods for trade throughout the country. There follows a list of the Ministry's activities in these respects. A. Credits Furnished. (i) Cotton: in order to encourage the cultivation of cotton, one of the country's most important industrial products, the Ministry has in the past few years furnished the following credits to various organisations: Organisation Credit Kunduz Cotton Company 86 million Afghanis Amin Co. Ltd. 40 million Afghanis (ii) Karakul:— Organisation Credit Karakul Company—through Da Afghanistan Bank 34 million Afghanis (iii) Wool:— Organisation Credit Wool Company—through Da Afghanistan Bank 61 million Afghanis B. Sorting and Standardising. (i) Cotton: the Ministry has assisted by 90