A senior official of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) on Friday called on government to ensure the safety of investors as according to him the state has failed to remove threats against businessmen.

Threats against the private sector and investors as well as contractors of development projects are increasing, the ACCI deputy head Khan Jan Alokozai said.  

He said kidnapping cases against employees of contractor companies is a serious challenge for investors. 

“Government should ensure their (investors) safety. It is the responsibility of government based on the law. Unfortunately, during the past 16 years we had this problem and it still exists,” Alokozai added. 

“This issue has put a negative impact on businesses and investment not only in Kandahar but also in all provinces,” Sayed Qasim Agha, head of a contractor company in Kandahar said. 

Head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, power utility company in the country, Amanullah Ghalib meanwhile said insecurity and kidnapping of employees of contractor companies in insecure areas are main reasons for delay in electricity projects. 

“There are strongmen in Baghlan who ask contractors to hire their favorites and also hire their vehicles. The only reason that private companies cannot implement projects is that either there are strongmen or an area is insecure,” said Ghalib. 

The Ministry of Interior said they are doing their best to maintain security of investors and companies.

“Those who have investment and need security for their institutions, they can come to us and we will use all resources to deploy security forces for them,” the Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. 

ACCI officials said insecurity has caused foreign companies in the last two years to show reluctance in participating in tenders.