KABUL (TCA) — Officials from Afghan Traders Council in Dubai on September 30 said that a large number of Afghan and foreign investors have transferred their capitals from Afghanistan to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates over the past year due to an increase in insecurity in the war-torn country, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported.
They urged the Afghan government to maintain security of investors in the country.
“Security is the only demand of investors from the government,” said Obaidullah Saderkhail, head of Afghan Traders Council in Dubai.
“Investors are trying to work everywhere, but they need safety.”
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said that some investors are interested to invest abroad due to better investment facilities in some foreign countries.
The ACCI deputy chief Khan Jan Alokozay said that Turkey and Uzbekistan have provided good facilities for investors which have grabbed the attention of Afghan businessmen.
“Kidnapping and insecurity are the main problems for traders which have not been resolved so far,” said Alokozay.
Some investors said insecurity and kidnapping threatens their families and that they have to take their families out of the country to ensure their safety.
“Afghan businessmen should not take their business out of the country but it is not a problem if they are taking their families abroad for their safety. Afghanistan needs us at the moment,” said Jalaluddin, an investor from Kandahar.
The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce did not comment in this regard.
