Following deadly attacks in Kabul and financial losses to investors, the state-owned Afghan National Insurance Company (ANIC) says it has started a scheme to insure businesses against bombings.
The company said Afghan investors can insure their property and assets against suicide attacks.
“They bring us the list of their properties and then they are surveyed. We estimate the insurance after the property is surveyed. After that, they are issued insurance letter. If anything happens during one year, we will compensate the damages of the properties which are registered with us,” the deputy head of ANIC, Ferdaws Barin said.
The Ministry of Finance said the institution will start campaigns to raise public awareness around insurance services.
“We are trying to take crucial steps in this respect by organizing public awareness programs in order to support the national investors and the private sector,” said Ajmal Hamid Abdulrahimzai, spokesman for the Ministry of Finance.
Figures by Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) show that more than 200 shops were destroyed in the ambulance bombing in Sedarat Square in Kabul on Saturday.
Some of these shop owners said they do not have the money to start over and reopen their shops.
But other shopkeepers in Sedarat Square in Kabul said they have started rebuilding their shops.
The shop owners said they have sustained enormous financial losses.
“All (shop) owners have decided to quit their business. The owners of all the shops around us and a hotel say they are not able to restart their business. They fear a comeback of such incidents in future,” said Hamid, an investor.
“I have worked here in this area for two years. I know some shopkeepers who hardly manage to afford the daily needs for their family. All of them have been damaged more than 20,000 and 30,000 AFs. Who will pay this?” asked Yunus, a worker.
Government has made some efforts including tax exemption and financial help to businessmen who have been affected by bombings.
The insurance services are currently available to those who purchase property and cars but some people have complained that they are not being paid out when they submit claims.