http://www.pajhwak.com/viewstory.asp?lng=eng&id=251
KABUL, September 6 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The Afghan government has
privatized only one of the 22 hotels it owns since the announcement of
its privatization policy three years ago.
Muhammad Yaqub Nooristani, in charge of government-owned hotels, said
more than $200 million were required for the reconstruction of the
hotels damaged during war. "The government cannot rebuild the hotels,
whose privatization is the best available option in the prevailing
circumstances."
Just three of the 22 government-run hotels are currently functioning
with little facilities. The only public-sector hotel which has gone
under the hammer hitherto has been leased out to the Agha Khan
Foundation (AKF) for 30 years, Nooristani said.
He hailed the Kabul Hotel deal, saying eight percent of its total annual
profit would go to the government and the income would gradually go up
to 15 percent. Economists hope the lease would help enhance government
earning with reducing unemployment.
Now renamed as Kabul Serena Hotel, it will start operation in October
under AKF in line with the lease agreement signed two and a half years
ago. Christopher Newbery, director of the Kabul Serena Hotel, said the
well-equipped, spacious facility had two restaurants, 177 rooms, eight
meeting halls and a gymnasium.
"The hotel will offer jobs to 400 people, with 300 vacancies reserved
for Afghans," an official said. The hotel staff would be imparted modern
training.
Not only hotels but other government ventures were also facing acute
financial and administrative problems, a source in the ministry of
finance revealed.
Mustafa Basharat