The Economic Impact Of A 20-year NATO Presence In Afghanistan
After 20 years of relative economic growth and aid, once again Afghanistan’s economy is experiencing an economic downturn.
The last two decades of major international presence in Afghanistan caused a huge influx of funds and investment which enabled Afghanistan's economy to grow, economic analysts say.
The economic achievements, however, according to the analysts, have become fragile following the hasty and full withdrawal of foreign forces and the closing of foreign diplomatic missions.
According to the numbers, Afghanistan's economy witnessed a growth of 21 percent in the last 20 years, especially in 2007, and huge private and public investments, especially in construction projects, have changed the face of major cities.
According to officials from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), the private investments on different projects reached around $4 billion a year.
The United States figures show that the US government has spent around two trillion dollars in Afghanistan, an amount equal to the Marshal Plan which was invested in the rebuilding of Europe after World War II.
The former Afghan government, however, said that the on-budget accumulated US funds to Afghanistan amounted to around $80 billion.
However, the 20-year international presence has also helped Afghanistan build close economic and trade relations with world and regional countries.
In the past years, Afghanistan gained membership in several regional and international organizations and economic institutions such as the World Trade Organization and World Road Transport Organization.
Following the collapse of the former government, the United States and NATO countries have closed their embassies in Kabul and suspended their economic support.
Now, according to figures, Afghanistan’s economic growth is below zero, the banks are unable to repay people’s deposits, investors are taking their money out of the country, most government employees are jobless and there are no public services offered to the people.
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