World Bank denies owing $50 million to companies in Afghanistan

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The World Bank denied claims that it owes $50 million to companies in Afghanistan, stating it has no responsibility for past contracts.

The World Bank has officially declared that the claim made by the Ministry of Finance of the interim administration regarding a 50 million dollar debt owed by the organization to logistical and construction companies in Afghanistan is not true.

In an official statement released on Wednesday, May 21, the World Bank emphasized that the contracts in question were signed between the former Afghanistan government and the contractors, and that the responsibility for paying these debts lies with the previous government, not the World Bank.

This response came after a statement on Monday, May 19, by the Ministry of Finance of the Taliban, which claimed that the World Bank had reopened its office in Kabul and begun the process of paying off the remaining debts to Afghanistan’s companies.

The Taliban government had stated that the 50 million dollar debt would be paid to logistical and construction companies in four stages, calling this a significant step towards the resumption of development projects supported by the World Bank.

However, the World Bank rejected these claims, denying any financial responsibility in this matter, and stated that the institution has no obligation to pay debts related to contracts signed by the former government.

This dispute arises amid Afghanistan’s ongoing economic crisis since the Taliban takeover in 2021, as the country has been grappling with severe economic challenges and the suspension of international aid.

Since then, the World Bank has halted its financial aid due to concerns over human rights, particularly women’s rights, and is only providing limited assistance for essential services through international organizations such as the United Nations.

The disagreement between the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance of the Taliban highlights the ongoing economic and political challenges Afghanistan faces. The lack of resolution over these debts underscores the broader issues of financial aid and international relations in the context of Afghanistan’s current regime and its efforts to address the country’s pressing development needs.

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