Samangan’s First Large-Scale Iron Production Plant Nears Completion

Construction is underway on a large iron production plant in Samangan province, with an investment of $50 million. The project is being developed in five phases on a site covering 240,000 square meters.

The plant is expected to become operational within the next three months.

According to officials, this is the first iron products manufacturing plant in Samangan. With a daily production capacity of 1,500 tons, it will produce a variety of iron products, including rebar, girders, shovels, pickaxes, and railway tracks.

Sayed Jawid Sadat, a representative of the iron production and smelting company, said: “The first and second phases are more than 50 percent complete. The third phase has also progressed by more than 50 percent, and work on it is advancing more easily. The plant is expected to begin operations within the next two to two and a half months.”

The factory currently provides employment for more than 100 people. Once fully operational, it is expected to create nearly 1,000 direct jobs.

Workers at the plant are calling on traders and investors to invest within the country and contribute to job creation and Afghanistan’s economic growth.

Nasrullah, one of the workers, said: “It is a source of pride for us, the government, and the people of Afghanistan when respected traders invest their capital in Afghanistan, whether they are inside or outside the country.”

Another worker, Shir Khan Haqmal, added: “We urge investors to invest within the country so that employment opportunities can be created for those in need, enabling them to support their families.”

Officials from the Afghanistan Iron Smelters Association say the country has achieved self-sufficiency in iron production.

To prevent unhealthy market competition, they are urging the government to halt the issuance of licenses for new iron smelting factories.

Abdul Nasir Rashtia, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Iron Smelters Association, said: “In sectors where market demand has already been met and self-sufficiency has been achieved, permission should not be granted for new factories, as an increase in the number of factories could lead to unhealthy competition.”

According to official figures, nearly 50 iron smelting and production factories are currently operating across Afghanistan. Together, they produce close to 6,000 tons of iron products daily and provide employment for around 30,000 people.