Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: A number of members of the Wolesi Jirga, the National Assembly, on Sunday termed the government leader’s trip to the United States as curtail for the country’s economy as they believe that Afghanistan’s economy is dwindling and needs huge support by international allies, particularly, the US.
They said that President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah should not miss political and economic opportunities during their trip to Washington DC.
Radio Azadi, quoted Shir Wali Wardak, the deputy chief of national economy commission of the Wolesi Jirga, as saying that currently Afghanistan needs friendship with the US, considering the economic needs of the country.
He said that the National Unity Government leaders should remove economic hurdles in the country by using the opportunities they would find during their trip to the United States.
“I think we need extended partnership with the US. We still require financial support for a number of mega projects therefore we want to have good ties with the White House,” he said.
President Ghani and CEO Abdullah left Kabul for Washington DC on Saturday. The Afghan leaders would meet with President Obama on Tuesday.
A number of analysts suggest that the Afghan leaders should discuss all economic problems of the country during their trip to the US in a bid to attract further attention of the US and western countries for improvement of Afghan economy.
“Afghanistan’s economy is dwindling therefore the trip is vital and will provide more opportunities for the Afghan government to overcome the hurdles but the Afghan leaders should grab the opportunity and talk about the economic challenges with the US leaders in this trip,” said Saifuddin Saihun, an analyst, as quoted by Radio Azadi.
According to him, Afghanistan needs long-term cooperation of the US and the international community to complete mega infrastructural projects.
In the meantime, another analyst, Wadir Safi, termed the Afghan leaders’ trip important for the country’s economy, and said that the trip would increase the position of Afghanistan among neighboring countries. “It is vital for our politics because it will empower the political position and sovereignty of Afghanistan among regional countries,” he said.
Afghan critics believe that the previous government was failed to properly use the international community’s funds during the past 13 years that could make Afghanistan self-reliant. They said that the new government should consider the issue and use the upcoming opportunities in this regard.
