The Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, says their economic policy is aimed at shifting Afghanistan’s economy away from dependence on imports toward domestic production and exports.
Baradar made the remarks during a ceremony marking the official launch of the second production line of the Jabal al-Saraj cement factory in Parwan province. He said that Afghanistan has significant opportunities for industrial development due to its natural resources, human capital, and strategic geographic location, and that efforts are being made to utilize these capacities for economic growth.
The Taliban’s economic deputy prime minister described industry as a key pillar of a country’s economic strength, adding that nations that have strengthened their industrial infrastructure have achieved notable progress in economic stability, reducing unemployment, increasing exports, and improving living standards.
Baradar said that increasing domestic cement production would reduce the country’s reliance on imports, help prevent the outflow of foreign currency, create employment opportunities for thousands of people, increase national revenues, and further stimulate economic activity.
According to information from the Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the second production line of the Jabal al-Saraj cement factory has a production capacity of 5,000 tonnes per day. The ministry says the number of cement production plants in Afghanistan has reached nine, and that if they operate at full capacity, the country’s daily cement output will rise to 30,000 tonnes.
Afghanistan currently imports a large portion of its cement needs from Iran, while in previous years some of its cement supplies were also imported from Pakistan.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
