Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Counter Narcotics
Office of the Spokesperson
Press Release

Bamyan, October 06th,  2008

Today, HE General Khodaidad, Minister of Counter Narcotics and Honorable Valerie C. Fowler, From US Embassy Kabul signed an agreement worth of US$ 5.6m to support four provinces that are either poppy free or have had significant reduction during 2007 poppy cultivation season.

The reward money will be used to fund priority provincial development projects that are selected and prioritized by the Provincial Development Committees.

During a press conference organized in Bamyan, HE General Khodaidad said “Today, we are rewarding the communities of Ghor, Ghazni, Bamyan and Faryab provinces who are either poppy free or have reduced poppy cultivation significantly.” Each of the three poppy free provinces such as Ghor, Ghazni and Bamyan will receive US$ 1.3m, US$ 1m and US$ 1m respectively.

This includes Faryab as well that decreased poppy cultivation significantly compared to last year and will be rewarded with more than US$ 2.2m.

As a result of UNODC’s Annual Opium Poppy report launched in August, the Government announced that under the Good Performance Initiative (GPI) 29 provinces will be rewarded with US$ 38.7 Millions. With the signing of this agreement the US’s contribution to the GPI 2008 rewards reaches to more than US$ 20m.

MCN, with the support of the United States Government and the Great Britain’s Government, established the Good performance Initiative in 2007 in order to encourage provinces that have demonstrated good performance in fighting against drugs and so far more than US$ 42m has been contributed by the US and the UK to this initiative.

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For More Information Please Contact Mr. Zulmay K. Afzali Spokesperson to the Minister of Counter Narcotics of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Tel: 0093+798-242-837
Email: zulmai.afzali@gmail.com

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