It's a waiting game in Afghanistan.<br/> <br />Businesses have ground to a halt across much of the country -- hit by political uncertainty as the country braces for another round of presidential elections, and concerns about security as the last foreign combat troops leave.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) OWNER OF THE CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY, SAAD MALOK, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The construction work has recently stopped in Afghanistan. We are thinking of changing our business because we invested a lot of money buying the machinery, but all the works are on standby."<br/> <br />Foreign combat troops are set to withdraw at the end of the year. A Bilateral Security Agreement that would allow a small force of U.S. troops to stay beyond December 31, is up in the air awaiting the new President.<br/> <br />The economy has taken a hit with GDP expected to sharply contract after hitting a peak in 2012.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MONEY EXCHANGE BUSINESSMAN FARHAD JAN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We call on the government to quickly final
