Herat Governor Calls on UN to Ease Banking Restrictions, Support Traders

Herat Governor Sheikh Molana Islamjar met with Indrika Ratwatte, deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general, and Arafat Jamal, head of the UNHCR office in Afghanistan, during their visit to the province.

The UN officials aimed to assess the implementation of UN programs and projects in Herat and review assistance efforts for recent waves of migrants returning from Iran and Pakistan. They expressed appreciation for services provided by the Islamic Emirate at the Islam Qala border and shared their activities with the governor, seeking guidance on preparations for potential new waves of returnees.

Islamjar thanked the UN agencies for their cooperation in various sectors and described the handling of the first wave of returnees as a major success. He stated that the province is prepared to address challenges from any new influx and noted that a large portion of returnees enter through Herat, necessitating greater attention and collaboration from international organizations.

The governor highlighted local administration efforts to create jobs through industrial programs. He urged UN agencies to prioritize purchasing food and goods from Afghan producers to support domestic manufacturers and emphasized the need for help in finding foreign markets for agricultural products and artisans' goods.

Islamjar specifically called for UN cooperation in lifting banking restrictions, issuing visas, and facilitating online services for the private sector and traders.

Ratwatte welcomed the governor's views and suggestions, assuring that the UN would strive to procure needed items from local production and continue cooperation with local authorities in various areas.