Saturday June 11, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Afghanistan is an importing country who imports majority of essentials from foreign countries including China, Iran, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan Uzbekistan etc. Nowadays due to increase of foreign currencies prices particularly US Dollar, the prices of food stuff have increased in domestic markets during holy month of Ramadan that has concerned the people. Ahmad Shahzad one of the residents of third Microrayon said, increase of US Dollar prices against local currency, leaves direct impacts on essentials prices. Recently prices of essentials have enhanced in Kabul and other cities that has created serious concerns among people. Beside that increase of shopkeepers’ taxes has also impacted essentials prices. Because the shopkeepers in orders to meet their taxes’ requirements, have to overcharge the customers. At the same time there are no control and supervision on markets and the shopkeepers abuse free market rules. Haji Sher Mohammad a shopkeeper in Kabul central food market said prices have increased 20-25 pc in Kabul market in recent days. For example the price of 50kg flour has increased from Afs 1180 to Afs 1350, price of 7kg edible oil from Afs 980 to Afs 1120, price of 7kg Beans from Afs 600 to Afs 800, and price of 7kg Sugar from Afs 280 to Afs 350. Similarly the dairies products prices have also increased in general prices of all essentials have increased due to increase of foreign currencies specially US Dollars.
Gul Mohammad the owner of Deh Afghanan Fuel Station said, the price of one liter diesel and petrol has increased from Afs 32, and 34 to Afs 34 and 41. Experts believe that free market system in Afghanistan is in the benefit of self-interested people. This system was imposed on Afghanistan following the ousting of Taliban regime. They believe that this system is not landed properly in this country. A number of traders importing low quality commodities and due to lack of control of prices by the government and abuse of free market system, have created serious problems to people. Afghanistan trade authorities said that increase of essentials’ prices has no connection to advent of Ramadan, because prices of essentials outside Afghanistan have been increasing. The Kabul Municipality authorities said that in order exert control on the prices of essentials in domestic markets, they have presented a proposal to the presidential authority for establishment of a particular commission to control bazaar and prevent hike of prices and prosecute over chargers and violators. The proposed commission would be composed of the representatives of the ministry of economy, finance, municipality and ACCI.
Lailuma Noori