Abdullah vows to boost domestic manufacturing

KABUL (Pajhwok): Presidential runner Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said strengthening the private sector and encouraging domestic products would be among his primary goals.

Abdullah, who finished second behind President Karzai in the 2009 elections, said no proper attention had been paid to domestic products, thus weakening the manufacturing industry in Afghanistan.

He acknowledged the government of his principal rival Karzai had some achievements in various fields over the past 12 years, but called the achievements no enough as expected by the people.

He regretted Afghanistan remained dependent on foreign aid and the government’s expenses amounting to about $7.8 billion could not be paid by donor countries. National products could hardly meet a small portion of the country’s requirements, he continued.

On economic growth, the former foreign minister said the growth had declined from nine to 5.4 percent, which he called bad news for the nation.

“The joblessness of 25 percent of people and poverty are the main contributors to instability,” Abdullah opined, claiming to create one million jobs in five years if he won the April elections

He criticised the government for failing to maintain a sustainable economic growth and wasting opportunities in this regard during the past decade.

mds/ma

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