Troop cuts may spell danger for Afghan economy focus 07/22/2011

Troop cuts may spell danger for Afghan economy

focus

07/22/2011
KABUL — As US-led troops start to leave Afghanistan and hand responsibility to Afghans, concerns are growing that an accompanying slump in international aid could have a catastrophic effect on the economy.

A boom in riches among Kabul’s elite since the 2001 invasion toppled the Taliban has not been felt widely among a desperately poor, largely agrarian society that survives only with vast amounts of foreign aid.
Western officials say that while gross domestic product (GDP) is around $16 billion a year, the country receives some $15 billion annually in security and civilian aid from the international community.

With foreign troops now starting to go home and the West focused on a final deadline of 2014 to withdraw all combat forces, experts say that aid is also likely to dwindle..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110722com6.html