HERAT, Afghanistan — A ten-day trade exhibition named “Eid Bazaar” launched in Herat on Saturday, May 16, showcasing the economic resilience of Afghan women entrepreneurs, including dozens of recent returnees from Iran and Pakistan.
The exhibition, hosted at the Setare-ye Asia Hall, will run until the eve of Eid al-Adha. Sponsored by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the event features 100 physical booths. To maximize participation, booths are shared, allowing 200 women-led enterprises to showcase their products, ranging from dried fruits and traditional clothing to tableware, accessories, and handmade crafts.
Empowering Returnees and Deportees
According to Behnaz Saljughi, head of the Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI) – Western Zone, about 20 of the participating companies are owned by Afghan women who have recently returned from or been deported by Iran and Pakistan. Despite the challenges of resettlement, these women have officially registered their businesses, obtained legal commerce licenses, and entered local supply chains, focusing primarily on clothing production and the dried fruit sector.
Fatima Bahloli, an Afghan woman who repatriated from Iran, is one of the featured exhibitors running a clothing production business in Herat.
“Living and conducting business as a woman is significantly more difficult in Afghanistan compared to Iran,” Bahloli said. “However, I have managed to launch my clothing production line here. We hope that international organizations and aid agencies, in cooperation with the local authorities, can improve the business environment to further boost women’s economic empowerment.”
A Growing Formal and Digital Economy
Officials from the AWCCI – Western Zone emphasized that returnee women have quickly become a driving force in Herat’s economy, establishing a vibrant presence in local trade fairs.
Official data from the Chamber reveals that 1,200 women have successfully secured formal business licenses to operate legally in the province. Beyond brick-and-mortar setups, officials highlighted a booming trend in digital entrepreneurship, noting that thousands of other women are running online shops to bypass physical and societal barriers, a business model that is rapidly growing across Herat.
