Taliban Announces Five-Year Economic Development Plan Amid Ongoing Challenges in Afghanistan
As Afghanistan’s economy continues to face extensive challenges, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, announced the expansion of economic, commercial, and developmental activities across the country. He stated that the leadership has approved a five-year development plan.
In the “Government through the Lens of Media” program, Mujahid explained that this strategy consists of three main pillars and 15 programs, focusing on improving governance, rule of law, public security, and economic and social growth. He also claimed that steps have been taken to improve the investment climate and strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors.
According to the Taliban spokesperson, land has been allocated for 576 factories, and 174 new industrial companies have commenced operations. He further asserted that the Afghan currency has increased in value by six percent compared to last year, and financing through banks has created direct and indirect employment for over 141,800 individuals.
Mujahid added that in the year 1447 Hijri Qamari, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce facilitated the signing of 150 agreements and commercial contracts worth $2.389 billion with the private sector and neighboring countries. He said that more than 10 billion Afghanis have been invested in mining and oil sectors, 45 new mineral areas were identified in 28 provinces, and 350 mining projects were put up for tender.
The Taliban spokesperson also mentioned that among these projects, two large marble and gold extraction ventures in Daikundi and Takhar provinces, as well as 85 smaller mining projects, have been awarded to domestic and foreign investors. He added that 1,003 national standards have been approved, and tens of thousands of building materials and electrical equipment samples have been tested to ensure quality.
In transport and aviation, Mujahid reported over 12,800 flights and the transfer of more than 1.5 million passengers. He also noted that the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock has expanded tree planting and the cultivation of pistachio and walnut forests, and through the Mudarabah financing fund, nearly two billion Afghanis have been provided to the private sector and livestock industry.
In the finance sector, Mujahid highlighted the simplification of customs procedures, addressing traders’ issues, and combating smuggling as measures taken by the Taliban administration. These claims come at a time when independent statistics and assessments regarding the actual implementation and real impact of these programs on people’s livelihoods have not been published.
