KABUL, Afghanistan — Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister, announced on Thursday that special incentives will be offered to returning Afghan investors as part of an effort to encourage economic growth and attract capital back to the country.
Speaking at a conference in Kabul titled “National Call for Domestic Investment,” Taliban officials claimed that conditions for investment within Afghanistan are now “fully prepared” and urged Afghan businessmen to invest in various sectors of the economy.
Baradar detailed a series of incentives for industrialists and returning investors, including a five-year exemption from all taxes except employee payroll taxes for those establishing new industries.
“According to the procedures prepared for industrialists and returning investors, they will be exempt from all taxes for five years, except for payroll taxes,” Baradar said.
He also announced that imported machinery and tools for industrial use would be exempt from customs duties, and that foreign employees and engineers hired by returning investors would be eligible for two-year visas.
“We will cooperate with you in any way necessary to support your efforts,” Baradar added.
Baradar appealed to Afghan industrialists and investors abroad to bring their capital back to Afghanistan, emphasizing their role in the country’s progress.
“I call on all Afghan industrialists and investors outside the country to transfer their investments to Afghanistan to contribute to the nation’s development,” he said.
The announcement comes as Afghanistan’s private sector continues to voice concerns over challenges such as high taxation. While the Taliban’s new measures aim to address these issues, it remains to be seen whether they will be sufficient to restore confidence among investors amid the country’s ongoing economic and political instability.
