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KABUL (SW) – A notable increase in the prices of basic commodities has caused apprehensions among Kabul residents.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, the residents said the prices of basic commodities are going up while the income is either stagnate or going downwards. Naqibullah and Habibullah, two such residents, said joblessness is on the rise, and the people have no means available to afford many basic items amid rising inflation.
Meanwhile, traders of basic commodities are blaming the falling prices of the local currency, afghani, for the price hike. Shafiqullah and Mohammad Kabeer, two such traders, told SW the afghani is losing its value against the dollar, and on top of that the government has increased tariffs on imports resulting in price hike.
Commenting on this, Musafar Qoqandi, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, acknowledged the increase in prices of food items in particular is due to devaluation of the afghani. He, however, stressed prices of basic items such as wheat, rice, ghee, sugar and others are under control.
According to the locals, the price for a bag of 50kg wheat has surged from AFN 1180 to 1350 and price of a bag of 20kg rice from AFN 2200 to AFN 1500.
ENDS
