On Monday, the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) accused the government of failing to solve the country’s trade and investment problems.
Officials see the mounting lack of security as a challenge to the country’s private sector, along with the government’s lack of planning to solve problems faced by Afghan businessmen in Pakistan. AICC members claim these are the causes for the decline of investment in the country.
Business people speaking of the launch of “Incoterms 2020” in Afghanistan—the latest version of an international standard of business terms put out by the International Chamber of Commerce–were critical of the Afghan government’s handling of the economic situation.
“Right now, thousands of trucks carrying containers of commercial goods to both sides of Torkham have been stopped, and the cost of goods have increased, but the government has turned a deaf ear to our voices,” stated Khan Jan Alokozay, Deputy Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI).
Officials also say the government needs to make necessary reforms in trade and with economic institutions and deems the adoption of the “Incoterms” as a significant step to operate internationally.
“It’s very difficult for the private sector to operate in Afghanistan in the current situation. If the government does not act, we cannot stop investors from leaving Afghanistan,” said Abdul Qadir Bahman, International Chamber of Commerce country director.
Hussan Mubarak, the deputy minister of transport, stated that the responsibility for collecting transport revenue was transferred to the Ministry of Finance.
“The Ministry of Transport is not dealing with money as the process has been transitioned to the Ministry of Finance, but a number of thieves are still operating here and we are working to solve this issue,” said Hussan Mubarak, Transport deputy minister.
Private-sector officials say that that the lack of security in the country makes the cost of securing the lives and property of investors too high.
