Kabul car dealers interviewed by TOLOnews on Thursday said that business has significantly dropped after the announcement that foreign forces would withdraw, even as a peace settlement remains uncertain and violence in the country continues unabated.
Dealers said that the people prefer to keep their cash and not spend it on property or cars.
This comes as the Biden administration hopes to send almost $300 million in extra civilian aid to Afghanistan this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday.
“President Biden was clear that while the United States will withdraw military forces from Afghanistan, our support for the country will continue,” Blinken said in a statement.
“As part of our commitment to invest in and support the Afghan people, we are working with Congress to provide nearly $300 million in additional civilian assistance for Afghanistan in 2021 from both the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development,” he said.
“Previously our youth were coming here with a lot of hope and enthusiasm to buy a car, but now the youth come and sell their cars at half price and they want to leave the country,” said Qayoum, a car dealer in the Qasaba area of Kabul.
“The people do not discuss buying a car, many want to sell their cars,” said Daud, a car dealer.
“There is no business, no one can buy or sell a house, the people consult and register their property for sale, but buyers don't have confidence,” said Arif Ahmadi, a property dealer in Kabul.
“We appeal to the international community to pursue a clear policy toward our country, we call on the politicians and the government to give people hope,” said a resident in Kabul named Hamid.
In the 20 years that the United States has been in Afghanistan, tens of thousands of Afghans have worked with the US military and non-military organizations, but many of them are facing an uncertain future.