KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghanistan has opened the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference in the capital, Kabul, where officials from more than 30 nations and 40 international organizations are gathering to discuss the war-torn country's future.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai opened the conference Wednesday, saying the two-day meeting will examine the challenges of rebuilding Afghanistan after almost 40 years of war.
Amid tight security and road blocks throughout the city, the delegates are debating a range of economic issues, including policy priorities, inter-regional trade, harmonization of customs and border routines, and market expansion.
It is the 6th RECCA conference and the first since President Ashraf Ghani assumed office a year ago pledging to end the 14-year war with the Taliban and reform the economy.
Economists have forecast 2.5 percent growth this year.