KABUL - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah has said insecurity is a major reason hampering investment in the country.
Speaking at a ceremony arranged in honour of Qurban Haqjo who has been appointed as head of Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA), Abdullah, however, says that no stone will be left unturned to make the country economically independent.
Abdullah said AISA was created to encourage investment in Afghanistan and with Haqjo’s to make the institution more vibrant and build cooperation among departments, businessmen, investors and industrialists.
He assured of unity government’s full support in expansion and growth of investments in Afghanistan. Backwardness, poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking, graft, and lack of implementation of laws have caused impediment in the way of investment.
According to the CEO, insecurity was another major reason investments did not expand in the country. Afghanistan’s economy should come out of current situation.
AISA should be given membership of the council of ministers to work closely with relevant ministries, Abdullah suggested.
Humayun Rasa, commerce and industries minister, said without investments national economic growth was impossible and AISA’s had a specific role to play in this regard.
Announcing support for Afghan investors, Rasa said: “currently we have $8.2 million trade deficit balance. This is unacceptable and we should find a way out of it and the only way out is growth of investment in the country.
He said AISA should focus more on research in order to provide better facilities for businessmen and investors.
Haqjo expressed gratitude to president and CEO for appointing him. He promised to work with honesty and sincerity in improving Afghanistan’ economy.
“Afghanistan’s economy is fragile and there are many challenges in this regard. The only way that can save Afghanistan from this situation is a stable economic growth,” he added.
Haqjo said a plan had been prepared and presented to the president and the CEO to improve the country’s economy and the situation in AISA. (Pajhwok)