More aid needed, not less, after peace deal: World Bank’s Kerali

KABUL (TOLO News):World Bank’s Country Director for Afghanistan Henry Kerali on Saturday said that Afghanistan will still need funds from the international community even if there is a peace deal in the country.

Speaking to TOLOnews, Mr. Kerali said that the bank has been working to secure international financial aid for Afghanistan during the peace negotiation talks and after.

Meanwhile, a number of businessmen have said that the private sector has a key role to play in Afghanistan’s economic development, and have suggested that the private sector should be represented in peace talks with the Taliban.

“…Any peace, we hope, would result in better financing, better support for Afghanistan. In our own estimation, Afghanistan will need more support–not less– if and when a peace deal is agreed,” said Kerali.

“If the peace negotiation talks reach some sort of conclusion which leads to the restoration of peace, the Ministry of Economy has worked on a draft plan named Post-peace Economy, in which all issues, such as poverty, unemployment and change in the lives of people, have been defined,” said Mohammad Younus Salik, a spokesman for the Ministry of Economy.

“When there is peace, it means we will achieve economic reliance. Then the world will focus on Afghanistan, there will be international investors coming in the country, our untouched economy–which also involves the mining sector– will attract concentration and all will come to invest in that,” said Mahboobullah Gardezi, an investor.