Ever since a new government was formed in Afghanistan, the country has attempted to diversify its economy by stimulating economic growth in industrial sectors. From 2010-2011, USAID utilized Jean-Paul Gauthier to advance that objective. Jean-Paul served as a Senior Legal Advisor on the USAID Afghanistan Economic Growth Program while working with Deloitte Consulting.

This program encouraged the development of a strong private sector through efforts such as developing industrial parks, enhancing Afghan business competitiveness, and supporting small- to medium-sized enterprises. These efforts were premised on the idea that a thriving private sector should lead to greater stability and reduced threat of terrorism.

Jean-Paul was embedded in the Ministry of Industry for 4 months, where he developed commercial law reform legislation with local counterparts, including on the general business environment and on industrial parks and Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in border areas.