Economy in 1397 (The Killid) – As the year 1397 of Afghan calendar [equal to 2018] is coming to an end, the government labeled the year with breakthroughs and promising investments despite certain challenges.
With inaugurating Lapis Lazuli corridor within this year, Afghanistan has been facilitated with opportunities to showcase its goods to international market – a transit route linking Afghanistan to Turkey via Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Afghanistan has marked its first shipment, loaded with 570 tons of Afghan goods, to India through Chabahar port in southeastern Iran.
Afghanistan launched its air corridor, expanding trade between the country and world market, particularly Europe, marking the first trade of at least 12 tons of Karakul sheepskins to Finland, and eight tons of the same product to Italy via air corridors this year.
Beside Afghanistan-China air corridor, another route has been inaugurated between the county and Turkey, providing more facilities for trade and transit.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) officials said with inaugurating air corridors, more opportunities have been provided and the country could trade with international markets.
Jan Aqa Naweed, Public Affairs Officer at ACCI, said to the Killid, “With inaugurating Afghanistan-Europe air corridor in this year, the country has been able to export its fresh and dried fruits to European nations.”
According to Naweed, Afghan exports via air corridors have reached up to $1 billion in 1397 [2018], adding that via Afghanistan-China air corridor, meanwhile, the county have exported 1,300 tons of pine nuts to Chinese market.
However, there is some concerns over security in the process that leads to complexity and various challenges in spite improved facilities, he added.
Depicting on number of causalities inflicted to Afghan businessmen, Naweed said security threats could indirectly hinder Afghans on their investment in the country – at least 70 cases on murder, kidnappings and threats have been recorded within the year.
The latest is the murder of little Mahsa, daughter to a minor businessman at Sara-e-Shahzada (currency market), who was first kidnapped for reported $300,000; then choked to death when could not comply with their demands.
But some key members at Shahzada’s community said they have recorded only 12 cases of their colleagues, who were either kidnapped or murder for money.
Next to security, lack of facilities in the country are other factors that contribute to unprecedented events of damages and loss to local businessmen.
The recent case is a blaze of engulfed fire at Ahmad Yaar petrol pump station in Abdul Haq square, killing three and wounding 46 further civilians.
Unprecedented fires at Milad Market of Kabul Mandawi Market, Khair Kwa market of Nader Pashtoon and similar cases in other parts of the capital are other tragic event that inflicted a great loss not just substantially but financially to all local investors and retailers – with millions of dollar at figures.
Naweed of ACCI believes that lack of infrastructures for trade and transit in the neighboring countries, limitations on electrical energy for production sectors, modern agricultural facilities, and processed food industries are other factors to have considered in terms of economic growth in the country.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance said country for the first time has consumed up to 90 percent of the National Development Budget, adding Afghanistan had AFN189 billion earnings – a promising increased figure to AFN172 billion incomes in 1396 of the solar calendar [equal to 2017].
Shamruz Khan Masjedi, spokesman of the Ministry of Finance, said to the Killid, “In 1397 [2018], roughly 47 economic accords have been inked with neighboring countries, including international investors.”
Masjedi cited lack of pace a major challenge and a factor that contribute to country’s economic breakdown, as well as tagged water shortage in the country as another challenging factor.
From the other hand, critics suggested 2018 has not been a productive and promising year for Afghanistan, saying the government did not focus on economy; rather got involved with other issues.
Mohammad Shabir Bashiri, an economic analyst, said to the Killid, “In this year, the government had mainly focused on [Afghan] peace process and elections, including most of key Afghan citizens.”
Bashiri suggested, as saying the government should have segregated 50 percent of its focus on other policies such as: social welfare, economic and investment opportunities.
According to Bashiri, this year up to 90 percent of natural stone processing companies were paralyzed; and no contract had been given to private stockholders.
Now that year 1397 of Afghan calendar is drawing a conclusion with less than just a day ahead, Afghans are crossed fingers with hope for a prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan while sharing a common joy and glister in New Year eve.
It will only be time to testify whether or not 1398 will be best!
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Emran Niaz of the Killid Group has contributed to this report.
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