Banking and media are two sectors that have had noteworthy growth since the Taliban government was toppled back in 2001. Although collapse of Afghanistan’s most reputable private bank, Kabul Bank, caused much harm to the banking sector of the country, development of banking system and easy access of masses to banking services, keeping in view the prevailing security condition, can be counted as a major achievement for the war-ravaged Afghanistan. Despite tremendous growth of private banks in Afghanistan, they still have to go a long way to provide loans to the investors and farmers of the country on easy conditions.

There are concerns over lack of banks that could facilitate industry and agriculture activities in Afghanistan. It can be regarded as a major hindrance for the economic growth. Of about 20 banks currently providing commercial services, none has easy loan packages for Afghan famers and people involved in industrial sector. Knowing that majority of the Afghan families is dependent on farming and Afghanistan has an agro-based economy, it is very essential for the banks to plan special services for the farmers. The same should be done to encourage the industrial sector of the country as both industry and agriculture can boost up our economy at times when the international aids are expected to diminish in the coming years.

At present, Afghanistan is importing hundred tons of food items from our neighboring and other countries of the world. This trend has made the people more vulnerable to food shortages during natural and human-caused disasters. Any changes in the supply of food and non-food products in the countries from which Afghans are importing can cause prices go up rapidly in our country. Therefore, it is a time necessity for Afghanistan to promote its agriculture so that we can be self-sufficient at least in the basic necessities such as wheat and rice.

When we come to know that Afghanistan even imports smaller industrial items that can be easily produced at local levels, we can understand where our industrial sector is standing. Besides importing foods from other countries, Afghanistan is a great importer of light to heavy machineries, electronics and hundreds of other industrial items. Afghanistan has one of the cheapest human resources in the world and it is rich in raw materials but lack of attention and proper planning cause these all go futile, rather than be used in industrial production.

At such a time besides assisting the agriculture and industry of Afghanistan by providing better and sustainable security, electricity and latest equipments to the farmer and industrialist, establishment of specific banks for industry and agriculture and planning of existing banks to facilitate these sectors are crucial in boosting up the economy of Afghanistan.