KABUL (SW): The terror of last month’s brazen suicide car bombing in the capital Kabul continues to haunt commercial activities in the city days after the assault.
The city’s commercial center Shahr-e-Nau remains gloomy since the attack on Jan. 27 close to the Ministry of Interior where an improvised ambulance was blown-up by a Taliban attacker killing more than 100 people, and leaving more than 200 wounded. The area used to see thousands of customers buy variety of items on daily basis.
However, things have changed drastically, and the shopping district now looks pretty deserted. Khwaja Nisar, a shopkeeper, told Salam Watandar that sales are down, and the traders have not earned enough to pay the rent either. Saeed and Humayoun, two more traders, said the businesses have dropped by 90 per cent.
Analysts fear continuation of this situation can leave negative impacts on the national economy. Haseebullah Mohed, a Kabul University professor, said in this regard that the slowdown of sales in the markets leave negative impacts on the overall economy. He underlined the importance of peace and security for economic growth.
According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), the attack on Jan. 27 has inflicted financial losses worth one million dollar.
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