The office of Mullah Baradar, the Taliban's deputy prime minister for economic affairs, called the World Bank's recent report on the high unemployment rate, the lack of infrastructure projects, and limited investment in Afghanistan far from reality.
In its new report released on Wednesday (December 4), the World Bank had said that Afghanistan's economy is not in a safe situation and although it has grown modestly, it is still facing serious challenges.
The international organisation cited financial constraints, trade imbalances, and limited public investment capacity as among the economic challenges facing Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
In addition to the components affecting economic growth, the report emphasised on the role of women's economic participation in long-term recovery and reducing vulnerability to future economic shocks.
While the Taliban has imposed severe job restrictions on women since coming to power, in addition to banning education, causing unemployment for thousands of women working in various sectors, the report identifies women's participation as a key factor for economic growth.
In a part of the report, the World Bank pointed to the growth of GDP, the increase in the Afghani currency against foreign currencies, the decline in food prices, and the growth of domestic industries. However, the Taliban stated that the statistics of economic growth and progress are higher than these.
The Taliban's statement pointed to projects such as the Qosh Tapa Canal, TAPI project, the construction of highways, dams, and railways routes, and claimed that "415 billion afghanis" have been invested in the field of mines.
The Taliban has called on the international community to engage positively with Afghanistan with a "real understanding of the facts”.
