KABUL (SW) – Although the authorities of the Islamic Emirate have always said that the facilities for investment in the country are available and they have also invited investors to return to the country, but domestic investors criticize the current situation and say that before inviting foreign investors, they should first be provided with the suitable investment ground.
Mumtaz Yousafzai, a trader and investor in the fresh fruits sector, told Salam Watandar that after the recent political developments, obtaining visas, renewing passports, obtaining raw materials, sales market and banking problems have increased and a investment field has not been provided for them. He added: “In the last two years after the developments, the markets have not been provided and the problems are in the visa and passport extension. A merchant cannot export his manufactured goods. Unfortunately, they cannot support those who are inside Afghanistan. First, a suitable ground must be provided to us.”
Ehsanullah Alami, another investor in the carpet weaving sector, said that after the political developments in the country and the imposition of current restrictions, he can no longer exported his goods directly to regional and extra-regional countries. According to him, raw materials such as yarn and wool are exported and they have to import these raw materials at a higher price from other countries.
Meanwhile, economic experts say that political, economic and banking instability has increased the reluctance to invest in Afghanistan. Abdulwafi Naibzai, an expert on economic issues, said that in addition to banking restrictions, cumbersome bureaucracy has also caused investors’ reluctance. According to him, in order to solve this problem, documents should be electronic during the process and economic fluctuations should be eliminated.
However, Akhundzada Abdulsalam Javad, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that all facilities for investment in Afghanistan are available and challenges and obstacles have been removed. According to him, the security of investors is guaranteed and they can invest anywhere in the country. He added: “If they want to import raw materials, we have made it easy for them. In order to create a market, all national and domestic administrations have been ordered to use domestic products.”
On Sunday, Hebatullah Akhundzadeh, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, in an audio message at the second national and international exhibition of Imam Abu Hanifa, asked investors to return to the country and invest here.
ENDS
