The government of Germany has pledged to contribute AFN 5 billion in a bid to start and run development projects in Afghanistan as well as covering recurrent costs, such as salaries, according to Khaama Press.

An agreement was signed two days ago between Afghanistan and Germany in this regard. “Germany will pay the sum into the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). More than thirty donor countries provide financial assistance for the Afghan government through the trust fund. This year, the German government’s contribution to the fund is the highest it has ever made,” a statement by German government said.

With an aim to help the Afghan government manage its financial resources efficiently and for the long term, Head of German Development Cooperation, Mr. Klaus Kraemer, said “The German Government wishes to assist the Afghan Unity Government in its effort to address country-wide periodic costs and development needs through budget support.”

According to the statement, the money from the ARTF’s so called “Investment Window” is currently used for 20 development projects in five different sectors, such as agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, human development, and governance. In 2015, 8.7 million Afghans, 38% women, benefited from these projects. The contribution from the “Recurrent Cost Window” is used for state employees’ salary payments.

Sources: MENA