KABUL - The moneychangers union in Kabul and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) expressed their deep concern over trafficking of foreign currency through airports in Afghanistan.
According to law, no one may take more than $20,000 USD out of Afghanistan without having permission.
Officials from the money-changers union in Kabul's Sarai-e-Shahzada said an increase in trafficking of foreign currency has affected the value of the Afghani and led to currency instability in exchange markets.
"Unfortunately, trafficking of foreign currency out of Afghanistan is underway by different people through different ways— via airports and borders," said Khan Mohammad Baz, head of the union.
Officials from the ACCI also warned that trafficking of foreign currency will have a negative impact on investment in Afghanistan and alleged that mostly strongmen are involved in trafficking of the currency out of Afghanistan.
They accused the government, particularly police, of negligence in preventing the trafficking of foreign currency.
"We have constantly said that trafficking of money should be prevented. Illegal trafficking of money out of Afghanistan has decreased investment and led to instability in exchange markets," said Siamuddin Pasarly, spokesman for the ACCI.
Trafficking of money has always been a matter of concern in Afghanistan and recently Indian police arrested two Afghans in connection with trafficking of $190,000 USD in Delhi airport.
Officials in the Central Bank and police at Hamid Karzai International Airport declined to comment in this regard. (Tolonews)