Cha-Ching!
After the U.S. ousted the Taliban, there were plenty of handwringing naysayers implying that Afghanistan is hopelessly impoverished because it lacks natural resources and economic infrastructure.
Infrastructure, shminfrastructure.
The only thing required for prosperity is freedom; and freedom is what the people of Afghanistan now have. And--God bless 'em--they're cashing in.
The
Washington Post reports:
Although countries around the world have promised more than $4 billion in aid to rebuild Afghanistan, there are today very few visible signs of the planned roads and schools and infrastructure projects. There are, however, signs throughout the capital, and in many provinces, of fast and dramatic change as Afghans and some intrepid foreigners open shops, businesses and even factories, quickly put up buildings to house them, and buy enough cars to create daily traffic jams.
In a city that had a handful of shopworn eating places two years ago, a new Chinese or Italian or American hamburger restaurant opens almost weekly, as well as kebab shops by the score. Small hotels have sprung up, and a $40 million Hyatt is on the way. The food bazaars are bustling and there are downtown blocks filled almost entirely with bridal shops. Rebuilt homes are rising from the ruins, and every little storefront seems to be stuffed with bathtubs or fans or with men building and carving things to be sold.
The Post focuses on the business ventures of Afghan entrepreneur Sabir Latifa. Latifa confidently points out, "There is so much money to be made in Afghanistan now. The country has been held back for 25 years, and now is the time to invest and do business. Afghans are very good at this -- we've been doing it since the time of the Silk Road."
I forget who said it but it's worth repeating: capitalism is what people do when they're left alone. And when left alone, people will create wealth and prosperity. Sabir Latifa is proof of that.
