International economists ask Biden to release Afghan central bank funds

FILE PHOTO: Columbia University Professor Joseph Stiglitz speaks at the China Development Forum in Beijing, China March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool/File Photo

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - More than 70 economists and experts, including Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, called for Washington and other nations to release Afghanistan's central bank assets in a letter sent to U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

The letter said foreign capitals needed to return the roughly $9 billion in Afghan central bank assets to Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) to allow the economy to function, despite criticism of behaviour by the ruling Taliban towards women and minorities.