Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari says the imposed sanctions by the international community have delayed the growth, development and economic stability in Afghanistan.
“Unfair sanctions by several powerful countries have delayed the country’s economic growth. We hope that these sanctions will be lifted as soon as possible so that we can move towards economic growth, development and stability,” said Nazari.
The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also said that sanctions against the financial and banking sectors have had a negative impact on the country’s economy.
He has urged the international community, especially the US, to remove these sanctions and release Afghanistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
“We are facing some sanctions. Unfortunately, sanctions have been imposed by Western countries, both in the field of banking and in the field where Afghan money is blocked and not allowed to be used in the central bank. This has had all its negative effects,” said Mujahid.
The private sector also said that sanctions on the banking sector have prevented the country from growing rapidly because investors are having problems transferring money through banks.
Economic experts, meanwhile, believe that when the sanctions are lifted, the prices of goods will decrease and investments will be made in the country.
Currently, $7 billion in central bank reserves has been frozen by the United States; of which $3.5 billion has been transferred to a trust fund in Switzerland. The US President Joe Biden has allocated the remaining $3.5 billion to the families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.