By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
BUSINESS ties have been quickly knotted since an historic Australia-Afghanistan Business Council economic conference in Dandenong two weeks ago, say organisers.
One of the beneficiaries is Keysborough manufacturer Bescon Industries, which landed a $400,000-plus annual deal to export its concrete products, packaging and tools into Afghanistan.
The business council says it is one of at least six recent activities to have cemented Greater Dandenong companies into the booming Afghan market within a week of networking at the conference.
Another significant outcome from the conference was the formation of an advisory board to create an Australian university in Afghanistan. Early interest has been garnered from Deakin and Victoria universities, according to the business council.
Bescon managing director Vince Greco had headed to the conference, keen to meet some of the 80 international delegates and expand his company’s international business. He estimates about 40 per cent of its products are sold overseas in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cyprus and Vietnam.
Hameed Kochai, president of his own Afghanistan-based construction company, heard about Bescon’s products at the conference and recognised there was a vacant niche.
“I wanted to take it there to Afganistan and expose it,” he said.
Mr Kochai, knowing the glut of construction projects, was quick to sign on Bescon on as an exclusive supplier throughout Afghanistan.
Australian companies have been slow to tap into the Kabul boom in areas such as education, mining, construction and transport. Of the nation’s US$4.4 billion annual trade, 32 per cent is with the US and 0.2 per cent with Australia, according to the Australia-Afghanistan Business Council.
Bashir Keshtiar, president of the business council, said last week the event was significant because it was “the first time the two countries got to talk about trade and business investment, rather than war and international aid”.
“Before last week no-one in Afghanistan knew of Dandenong. We’re prepared to say we made history.”
“My aim was to change the picture of Afghanistan in a positive way, that it’s not just a war-torn country but a land of opportunity.”
Mr Keshtiar said the country had changed for the better, since he fled during the Russian occupation 28 years ago.
“I returned last year. This time we didn’t have a curfew. After midnight, you couldn’t hear any gunshots.
“In the past 10 years, the people of Afghanistan have learnt to become a mature society that is involved in the international community.
“They’ve seen the benefits of doing business. They don’t want to miss those opportunities again.”
