World Bank clarifies role in payments for Afghanistan projects
The World Bank said on Monday that payments being made to contractors for projects in Afghanistan related to work done prior to the collapse of the former government and that this was money owed to them.
Responding to “inaccurate” reports by some media outlets, the World Bank said the payments concern outstanding debts owed by the former government of Afghanistan to contractors hired under World Bank-financed projects.
These contractors completed their work before August 15, 2021, the World Bank said.
The contracts were made between the Afghan government and the contractors, making the government responsible for these payments, not the World Bank.
The Bank is not a party to the contracts.
The institution said recent statements about this process and technical coordination reflect progress but noted that no restart of previous projects has been discussed or agreed upon.
The World Bank’s statement comes after some media outlets incorrectly reported Monday that the organization had begun disbursing $50 million in loans to Afghan logistics and construction companies.
