Afghan businesses wary over peace talks and troop withdrawal
- 11 years ago
There's a sense of uncertainty today in Kabuls' business community.
Factories are running, but many investors are eying their exit strategy from Afghanistan.
They're worried when NATO combat troops leave next year, the government won't maintain security -- or a welcoming environment for investors.
Mustafa Sadiq sees it all around him.
He runs a successful juice company but he says business activity is down. Way down.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OWNER OF THE 'NAW BAHAR' ('SPRING WISH') FRUIT JUICE FACTORY, MUSTAFA SADIQ, SAYING:
"On the average what I estimate the business has been dropped 30 to 40 percent and a lot of traders and investors are very much worried about the situation after 2014."
It's not just the business leaders who are concerned. Workers are anxious, too.
(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) WORKER AT THE FRUIT JUICE FACTORY, QASIM HAMIDI, SAYING:
"We are very concerned if investors remove their business from this country, because of inse
Factories are running, but many investors are eying their exit strategy from Afghanistan.
They're worried when NATO combat troops leave next year, the government won't maintain security -- or a welcoming environment for investors.
Mustafa Sadiq sees it all around him.
He runs a successful juice company but he says business activity is down. Way down.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OWNER OF THE 'NAW BAHAR' ('SPRING WISH') FRUIT JUICE FACTORY, MUSTAFA SADIQ, SAYING:
"On the average what I estimate the business has been dropped 30 to 40 percent and a lot of traders and investors are very much worried about the situation after 2014."
It's not just the business leaders who are concerned. Workers are anxious, too.
(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) WORKER AT THE FRUIT JUICE FACTORY, QASIM HAMIDI, SAYING:
"We are very concerned if investors remove their business from this country, because of inse