Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan convened their first-ever Economic Conference that was attended by high-ranking officials of the IEA and representatives of 80 countries both in-person and online.
The conference was named “Economy of Afghanistan”, was held in the office of the Prime Minister (ARG), and was telecast live on the state-run RTA channel on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
In the conference, acting PM of the IEA Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund delivered his first-ever video speech after he occupied the post and accused the West of violating human rights by imposing economic sanctions on Afghanistan that have affected the lives of 40 million people in Afghanistan.
Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund asked for humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and pleaded for the release of nearly $10 billion now frozen in the western banks.
“I ask all foreign investors to come to Afghanistan and invest here, they should not take recognition of the IEA as a pretext. Previous government with all problems, unjust and corruption was recognized. We should also be recognized as we have fulfilled the criteria for one. We don’t even a single penny for our Mujahideen (Taliban affiliates) and ministers; all we want is for the impoverished people. So release our assets and respect rights of these humans.” said the PM.
Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund asked the Islamic countries to prove their independence and take the lead in recognizing the interim government of Afghanistan.
Speaking at the conference, second Deputy PM Abdul Salaam Hanafi said that their foreign policy is based on economy-concentrated, and for that purpose, they have been focusing on major regional economic projects.
Abdul Salaam Hanafi said that they do not want to have an economy dependent on foreign aid and will strive to arrange annual budgets from their domestic resources.
He also added that they have uprooted corruption and embezzlement in Afghanistan and are trying to get the takes of all for economic stability.
On the other hand, UN Secretary-General’s special representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said that they have prepared a transitional mechanism and will collect up to $8 billion for the Afghan people.
Deborah Lyons said that economic sanctions have affected the lives of millions of Afghan people and over half of the Afghan population needs life-saving aid.
“Economic sanctions and frozen assets of Afghanistan have led to the ongoing crisis in the country and now a shared thought is needed between the Afghan government and private sector. We have raised our voice with donor countries regarding the release of funds and lifting sanctions.” Said Lyons.
Acting Minister of Finance Hidayatullah Badri said that they have brought vas reforms in the country’s customs and incoming system of the country and has reactivated the treasury.
Hidayatullah Badri said that the current annual budget is less but added that they are trying to increase the amount of money from domestic resources and they also have developments in this regard.
Acting Minister of Foreign Amir Khan Motaqi said that ground has fully been conducive to foreign investment and asked internal and international investors to invest in the country.—KHAAMA PRESS
