Limited banking services affect businesses: Traders

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Traders in eastern Nangarhar province say their businesses are seriously affected due to limited banks services since the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

They say all money transfers for commercial deals are possible only through banks, but now banks are closed and no one could transfer money which is the reason that businesses affected.

They say that traders tried to transfer money through traditional money transfer services, but these services had also increased charges.

Dr. Ahmad Mukhlis, head of Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Nangarhar province, told Pajhwok Afghan News that businesses got affected because they were unable to transfer money to major companies on time.

He said companies did not send purchased goods to business people because they were not paid.

“The new regime, political changes and money freeze outside the country have affected the economic situation, particularly business, industries and people,” he said.

He said that Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) should honour its promise that it would allow traders to transfer money with any amount.

A wholesaler in Jalalabad city, Hamidullah said that companies would not supply him with goods because he could not send them money.

“We are obliged to transfer money through traditional services which we are charged more because they misusing this situation,” he said.

He added, “Shopkeepers and traders add all the charges and expenses to goods prices, it increases general rates in the market which affects common people.”

People are also concerned about the situation and say that joblessness from one side and high rates from another had affected them and they ask Taliban to control the situation.

Naimullah, a resident of Jalalabad city, said that the prices of most items had increased after the Taliban took control of the country.

Meanwhile, DAB head for east, QariRafiullah said that banks will resume their normal function in the near future.

He said that the limit of cash withdrawal from banks was removed. However, private banks in Jalalabad city still do not allow withdrawal of more than $200 in a week.

Mds/ma

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