Examining the problems of merchants and industrialists
Afghan businessmen and industrialists are facing many problems in various economic, political, and infrastructural fields that have limited business development and industry growth in this country. Below are some of the main problems of this group and possible solutions to improve their situation:
Problems of Afghan businessmen and industrialists:
1. Insecurity and political instability: The inadequate security situation and political instability have become one of the biggest obstacles for investment and economic activities in Afghanistan. This has made investors and entrepreneurs afraid to expand their activities and has negatively affected the growth of industry and trade.
2. Inadequate and dilapidated infrastructure: Afghanistan faces a lack of necessary infrastructure, including roads, energy, and transportation networks. This issue increases the costs of production and transit of goods and reduces the competitiveness of domestic goods.
3. Lack of electricity and sustainable energy: Lack of energy, especially in the cold seasons of the year, disrupts industrial activities and increases costs for industrialists. This issue has a direct impact on the productivity and quality of production and makes it difficult to compete with imported goods.
4. Lack of government support and increase in taxes: The lack of support policies and increase in taxes, especially in the current period under the rule of the Taliban, has become a problem for businessmen and industrialists. Many traders and industrialists are faced with high taxes and customs tariffs, which increase production costs and the final price of products.
5. Weak banking system and financial restrictions: Inefficient banking system and money transfer restrictions have made it difficult to finance projects and investments. In addition, traders and industrialists do not have access to international credit systems.
6. Widespread corruption in government offices: Corruption in government institutions and complex bureaucracy has caused delays in administrative processes and increased additional costs for businessmen and industrialists.
7. Lack of skilled and specialized labor: Afghanistan is facing a shortage of specialized labor in various industrial sectors, and this issue has reduced the productivity and quality of domestic products.
8. Transit and export challenges: Transit problems and export restrictions due to the lack of direct access to ports have reduced the competitiveness of Afghan goods in international markets.
Suggested solutions:
1. Strengthening security and political stability: By trying to improve the security situation and increase political stability, it is possible to win the trust of investors and support the expansion of businesses.
2. Development of infrastructure: The government can create and improve the necessary infrastructure for the development of industry and trade with the cooperation of international organizations and domestic and foreign investments.
3. Financial support programs and low-interest loans: Creating support programs to finance industrialists and providing low-interest loans to businessmen and industrialists can help them in business development and increase production.
4. Reducing taxes and customs tariffs: By reducing taxes and customs tariffs, the government can help reduce the costs of merchants and industrialists and make the price of domestic products more competitive.
5. Fight against administrative corruption: By creating transparency and reducing bureaucracy, it is possible to reduce corruption in government offices and make administrative processes simpler and faster for businessmen and industrialists.
6. Holding training courses and workforce development: By providing training programs for the workforce and cultivating skilled human resources, the productivity and quality of domestic products can be increased.
7. Digitization of business processes: By digitizing customs and banking processes, it is possible to reduce the costs and time of administrative affairs and increase transparency.
8. Creating export promotion policies: By providing export incentives and creating new transit routes, Afghanistan can introduce its goods to international markets in a better way.
By implementing these solutions and creating a suitable environment for businessmen and industrialists, Afghanistan can get closer to economic development and industrial self-sufficiency and gradually become a country with a stable economy.