Afghanistan Banks Association

د افغانستان د بانکونو ټولنه
Afghanistan Banks Association
Voice of The Banks

Afghanistan Banks Association

Afghanistan Banks Association convened a meeting with the World Bank

Date: 7 June 2022

In order to attract more support from World Bank for the banking sector and address the challenges, ABA held meeting of CEOs of its member banks with senior representatives of World Bank in Kabul on June 07, 2022. A comprehensive discussion took place in the meeting on the following issues.
1. Strengthening and expanding banking relations for Inward/Outward remittances in order to strengthen the country's international trade (exports and imports)
2. Banks’ lending status
3. Conversion of Conventional banking to Islamic banking
4. Distribution of humanitarian aids through banks
During the meeting, Mr. Najibullah Amiri, Executive Director of ABA and member banks’ CEOs, expressed their proposals to strengthen correspondent banking relationships with international banks, since it has positive effects on reducing price of products and services in the country and asked World Bank to help Afghan banks expand Banking relations with foreign banks, especially in Central Asia, where import of major food items are taken place from those countries. Meanwhile, Najibullah Amiri added: the country's banking sector is moving towards improvement, but the cooperation of the international community will accelerate this process. In addition, ABA and banks asked World Bank to conduct all their monetary transactions-including humanitarian aids through the official sector – the banks, which is the main pillar and driver of the country's economy. It is noteworthy that at present, banks are able to transfer businessmen money abroad (import and export) a lower cost. Regarding the Islamic banking process in the country, ABA explained the problems and solutions to the World Bank in detail. World Bank representatives noted views and suggestions of ABA and banks and assured that the international community stands with the people of Afghanistan and provides comprehensive and timely support to the country's banking sector. Recently, World Bank officials thanked ABA for its continued cooperation and called for more efforts in the future.