PESHAWAR: After the Taliban takeover on 15 August, most of industries in Afghanistan have been shut down due to lack of raw materials, rendering thousands of workers unemployed in the war-riddled country.
In the last three days, reports say, all Ghee Industry in Baghlan have been closed due to non-supply of raw materials. According to Afghan industrialists after the Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, 400 to 500 small and large industries have been shut down. The traders said that due to the closure of banking system, they could not import raw materials for industries while the available martial have been completely depleted. “Dozens of factories are shutdown on daily basis due to unavailability of raw material and proper banking system,” traders said.
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According to traders, other sectors in Afghanistan are currently paralysed due to the ban on construction work as well as the inactivity of the banking system. Currently, 10% of food in Afghanistan is produced locally while 90% is imported. If this situation continues then there will be severe food shortage in Afghanistan which will affect millions of people.
An Afghan businessman informed on condition of anonymity that the world powers should play role to help Afghans to survive the current humanitarian crisis. He said that at Afghanistan is facing worst unemployment and food shortage. The businessman said that despite the passage of four months, the Taliban has failed to restore and make the system functional that collapsed after their arrival on 15 August.
The businessman further said that after the arrival of Taliban, even 20% of the people have migrated from Afghanistan. “It is sinking billions of dollars invested in Afghanistan during the previous government,” the businessman said. “The government has to immediately open the banking system for Afghan traders so that they can import foodstuffs as well as raw materials for the industries.”