The economic commission of the government, chaired by the first deputy prime minister, confirmed the new plan requiring licences for money exchangers. The plan was proposed by the Central Bank.  

Based on the new plan, the money exchangers must provide 5 million Afs for licenses, and the money exchange companies must pay 50 million Afs as guarantee.

“The money exchange companies who receive the new license from the Central Bank can provide licenses to the vendors who work as money exchangers,” said Sabir Momand, a spokesman for the Central Bank.  

Meanwhile, the Union of Money Exchangers of Sarai Shahzada expressed frustration over the new plan of the Central Bank, saying that considering the existing economic challenges, the implementation of such a plan will cause difficulties. 

“I disagreed with the new plan of the Central Bank because in the current difficult situation, the implementation of such plans is unfair,” said Abdul Rahman Zirak, a spokesman for the union.  

The money exchangers voiced concerns, saying that their activities will be restricted if the plan comes into effect.  

“No one has been able to work based on the new plan made by the Islamic Emirate,” said Haji Nazar, a money-exchanger.  

One of the money exchangers suggested that instead of cash, the Central Bank could take other property as guarantees.  

“If the Islamic Emirate insists on this issue and wants to implement it as a government, then there should be some changes. For example, they can take the property of a money exchanger as a guarantee,” said Sayed Ali Sadat, a money exchanger.  

However, the Central Bank said that the plan is aimed at preventing the smuggling of cash abroad.  

According to the numbers of the Sarai Shahzada money exchange market, around 4,000 companies and people across the country have received the license of the Central Bank.