Economy

GDP:  US$16.631 billion (2010 estimate) . Per capita GDP has increased from US$200 to US$561  since 2002. (Global Finance, June 2011 ).
Growth rate: Real GDP growth has averaged 14.8% in the last six years. The inflation rate is estimated to be at 0.5% for 2010 with a forecast rate of 3.4% for 2011(Global Finance, June 2011). Despite ongoing security problems, Afghanistan has been able to sustain a strong economic growth rate, ranging from 26% in 2002/3 to 14% in 2005/6. The growth rate slowed in 2006/7 due to drought, but has continued to be strong, with a predicted 8% average growth this year. The economy is estimated to have grown by 22% last year on the back of good harvests. Government tax revenues exceeded $1 billion for the first time last year (DfiD, June 2011).
The country is now at 167 in the World Bank Doing Business Rankings, and doing business has gradually become easier since 2006. Opium cultivation is declining and the country as a whole is becoming less dependent on growing poppies, which now constitute just 5% of the size of the legal economy. (DfiD, June 2011).
Principal industries: Textiles, fruit and nuts, soap, furniture, shoes, fertiliser, hand woven carpets, cement, natural gas, coal and copper
Exchange rate: 71.18 Afghanis = 1GBP (xe.com June 2011 )

Trade and Investment

The main investment opportunities in Afghanistan are in the areas of mineral, infrastructure, agriculture, services and tourism.  There are significant mining opportunities in Afghanistan that include a great wealth of rare earth metals and other precious metals which offer opportunities for investment in both exploration as well as related services.  Geological work has discovered numerous deposits of iron, copper, gold, uranium and rare earth minerals. The Ministry of Mines is determined to open up other mines to foreign investment alongside major policy and regulatory reforms that will provide a better business-enabling environment.

Travel & Tourism

Afghanistan is one of the premium tourist destinations and famous for its spectacular mountain surroundings and the unparalleled generosity of its people. The country is covered with valleys and the attractive mountain ranges dominate the landscape of Afghanistan. Home to plentiful countryside and the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range, travelers came for the clear mountain air and to see attractions like the giant Buddha statues of Bamiyan. It contains some barely credible resources of the world. Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan comprises of Mazar-e Sharif and Northeastern Afghanistan is the home of most sacred site, Samangan. It is famous for caves and holy place of Takht-e Rostam, a hidden Buddhist gem.Minaret of Jam, and the Archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley were both included in the World Heritage list by UNESCO. The Minaret of Jam, is a 65-meters high structure made in the twelfth century. The Bamiyan Valley on the other hand contains numerous Buddhist monasteries and shrines.