Largest electronics market in Kabul sees huge drop in customers

Record ID: 1635015

  • Title: Largest electronics market in Kabul sees huge drop in customers
  • Date: 4th September 2021
  • Summary: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (SEPTEMBER 4, 2021) (REUTERS) INTERIOR OF BUILDING THAT HOUSES ELECTRONIC SHOPS SHOPKEEPERS STANDING OUTSIDE SHOPS SHOPS (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) SHOPKEEPER, HAJI NAJIBULLAH, SAYING: "Before the Islamic Emirate, almost more than 2,000 people used to flock to this market, and now its gone from 100 percent to 15 percent. There are around 100 to 150 people now; previously up to 2,000 people came to this market to buy and sell things." PEOPLE INSIDE SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) SHOPKEEPER, HAJI HUMAYON, SAYING: "From an economic point of view, the future is dark, it is uncertain, but security wise the things are a bit better. The Taliban must do something to stop those who benefit from the name of Taliban, hijacking people's cars, and creating a terror situation in the country." SHOPPERS LOOKING AT THINGS SHOPKEEPERS STANDING AT THEIR SHOPS ELECTRONIC GOODS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING AROUND SHOPS WITH NO ONE INSIDE PEOPLE WALKING INSIDE BUILDING PEOPLE WALKING OUT ALONG THE STREET TRAFFIC ON STREET ENTRANCE TO BUILDING LABOURERS OUTSIDE LOADING GOODS. VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC AND HUMAN TRAFFIC ON STREET
  • Embargoed: 18th September 2021 13:17
  • Keywords: Afghanistan Kabul Taliban business conflict electronics market shopkeepers shops
  • Location: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
  • City: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
  • Country: Afghanistan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA001ETAYAMF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Shopkeepers at Kabul's largest electronics market lamented on Saturday (September 4) of the huge drop in visitors since the Taliban swept into power on August 15.
    One shopkeeper estimated the difference to be around 85 percent. "There are around 100 to 150 people now; previously up to 2,000 people came to this market to buy and sell things," said Haji Najibullah.
    Another shopkeeper said he was uncertain about the future from an economic point of view.
    The rapid advance of the Taliban has sent the value of the local Afghani currency plunging against the dollar and pushed up the cost of basic commodities by as much as 10%-20%. Banks had also been closed till Monday (August 30), which left many people unable to access their savings till recently.
    Taliban sources said the group's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar would lead a new government set to be announced on Saturday. Its first task may be to stave off the collapse of an economy grappling with drought and the ravages of a 20-year war.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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