KABUL, Afghanistan — A three-day exhibition showcasing Uzbek products, including machinery, food items, electrical tools, and construction materials, concluded in Kabul on Monday.
At the closing ceremony, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment criticized the high taxes imposed on traders, noting that basic services are lacking at customs and ports. The chamber emphasized the need for reduced taxes and improved facilities for businesses.
“Despite repeated calls for reducing taxes and facilitating traders, we still lack essential services like firefighting units at crucial points such as ports and customs,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
Meanwhile, the Taliban-led Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that efforts are being made to facilitate investors, with Uzbekistan also pledging to provide export discounts to Afghanistan.
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi urged those earning money in Afghanistan to reinvest in the country. “We call on those who earn money in Afghanistan to invest here and support the poor and needy,” Azizi said.
Previously, Afghanistan’s private sector had complained that the Taliban imposed various fees on traders, including taxes for the Red Crescent, the Teachers’ Fund, and transportation. However, the sector claimed that in nearly three years, traders have received little support from the Taliban, particularly in the area of taxation.
