KABUL (SW): The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), has termed the World Bank’s annual report on trade and investment environment in Afghanistan as ‘incomplete’.
Musafar Qoqandi, spokesman for the MoCI has said that the data mentioned in the World Bank’s report corresponds to April-June 2016. The spokesperson for the MoCI told Salam Watandar that much have improved in investment environment in the last four months. He added that additional investment worth of $1.2 billion has been witnessed during the past four months. Quqandi noted the recent growth indicates improvement in investment situation in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Khan Jan Alakozai, the Vice President for Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has stated that the report prepared by the World Bank is true to some extent. He noted that insecurity, corruption, ongoing war and differences among the National Unity Government (NUG) leaders are the major stumbling blocks standing ahead to investment in the country. Alakozai asserted that the escalating violence is the main reason behind this problem. He added that only two provinces were under insurgents' threat last year, but currently security situation is fragile in 15 provinces of the country.
Focused on 190 countries, the World Bank’s annual report on trade and investment environment has stated that Afghanistan is among the worst Asian country for trade and investment. The annual report has ranked Afghanistan 183 in this regard.
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