(Transcript from World News Australia Radio)
The new Australia-Afghan Business Council is stepping up efforts to boost trade and investment between the two countries.
The move coincides with the withdrawal of the last Australian combat troops from Afghanistan, after a 12-year mission.
Aileen Phillips reports.
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The Australia-Afghan Business Council is for business people in both Afghanistan and Australia.
It's promoting the formation of networks, and sharing of information about doing business in both countries.
The federal government is backing the Council, saying it reflects Australia's strong ongoing commitment to support Afghanistan into the future, including in the areas of development assistance and security.
Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb told SBS Radio's Pashto Program the Council will further develop the competency, ability and capacity of the Afghan business sector.
He says it will complement measures being taken in other fields, including sport.
"In that regard, developing strong trade relations will bring a lot of people together from both countries. At the same time, we need to develop the cultural links. I will be looking to encourage the cultural links we've got, the cricket links we've got. Cricket Australia I think has been looking to help train and foster the growth of cricket in Afghanistan."
Afghanistan's Ambassador to Australia Nasir Andisha says the establishment of the Business Council couldn't have been more timely.
"Creating and fostering bilateral trade links at this time, especially as the Australian military mission is coming to an end in Afghanistan sends a very important and significant and timely signals about the growth and maturity of our bilateral relationship. In today's diplomacy, two-way trade and investments speaks louder than anything else."
Melbourne-based banker Bashir Kishtiar is the Council's President.
He says its work must go beyond commercial interests.
"We should have the aim in that war-torn country, how many people have been disadvantaged? So our job, the business community job, would be to reach those needy people. Yes, our aim is commercial interests, yes we want to do business, yes we want to have a good life and whatever, however, in the meantime if we are able to support the locals, that would be even better. So I would say if we do that, then our job is done."
