Balkh officials say a grain bank has been created in the province for the first time and has provided many opportunities for traders as they can use this facility to buy or sell flour and other grains.

Local officials said that the goal of establishing this bank is to prevent price hikes and hoarding.

“Creating such commercial markets is a window of hope for people,” said Asadullah Asadi, head of Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

“It is the first time in the country that a standard grain bank is opened here. Fortunately, it has profits for our businessmen and also for our nation because here the price is controlled and the quality is controlled,” said the manager of a market in Balkh.

Meanwhile, a number of investors in Balkh emphasize the need for security for businessmen, saying that the interest in investing inside the country has increased.

“The best blessing of Allah is security; we are grateful to the officials of the Islamic Emirate that our security is better, and we ask the Islamic Emirate to pay more attention to this matter,” said Yusof Shahbaz, the head of Balkh Grain Union.

“As long as the government does not cooperate, the businessman cannot act independently. For example, the government should provide simplicity in the produce sector and in the tax,” said an investor.

The local officials of Balkh have assured people that they will protect the “lives and property” of the traders and asked investors to invest in the country.

“We are proud that we have projects, security and management in Balkh province,” said Noorulhadi Abu Idris, deputy governor of Balkh.

The grain bank has been established in Balkh province in the hope that Afghanistan will become self-sufficient in grain production by using the Qosh Tepa canal and eventually export wheat.