03 June 2009
DFID has announced £4.5 million of aid to boost trade from Helmand's renovated airfield, which was officially opened today.
USAID, who work with DFID in the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, have turned a gravel airstrip into a tarmac runway capable of taking modern civil aircraft connecting Helmand with the rest of Afghanistan and opening up the province for trade.
Bost Airfield is the only completely civilian airstrip in Southern Afghanistan and is the new gateway to Helmand province. DFID funding will build on USAID work, and will pay for access roads, security fencing and a new administration block for a business centre alongside the airfield.
The centre will be the focus of food processing so that farmers' produce from the fertile Helmand valley can be prepared for food markets around the country.
The new developments will strengthen counter narcotics work by giving farmers a further incentive to plant legal food crops rather than illegal poppy.
At the opening British Ambassador to Afghanistan Mark Sedwill said: "This new investment will improve the security, infrastructure and airport facilities need to turn an airfield into a thriving business centre.
"Together with the agricultural centre next door , it will help to strengthen Helmand's farming productivity and create more jobs for local people.
"The opening of the airfield is a symbol of hope and future progress for the people of Helmand."
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