$60 Million Investment Launches Ten New Factories in Herat

Local officials in Herat say that ten industrial factories have started operations in the province with an investment of more than 60 million USD.

These factories, operating in the production of carpets, pharmaceuticals, hygiene products, flour, food items, and auto parts, have created employment opportunities for hundreds of people.

Mohammad Naser Amin, Head of the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “Today, $62 million has been invested. Four other large factories will be inaugurated soon, with at least $100 million invested in them.”

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce have urged Afghan traders and investors abroad to invest inside the country in order to reduce poverty and develop industry.

Ahmadullah Zahid, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, said: “Afghan traders who invest in Afghanistan not only benefit themselves but also fulfill their national responsibility by creating jobs for hundreds of families who lack even daily bread.”

Noor Ahmad Islamjar, Governor of Herat, stated: “Today, trade in the region and the world is highly competitive. If our industries are not advanced and we only rely on customs tariffs, we cannot progress. Your factories must be developed enough to compete with similar foreign goods, even without tariff protection.”

Several owners of newly established factories have called for restrictions on the import of goods similar to domestic products. They also demand higher tariffs on imported goods.

Ghausuddin Ishaqzai, an industrial factory owner, said:
“Higher tariffs should be imposed on goods similar to those we produce. Now that we have opened the factory, this is just the beginning, and we want to invest more.”

Fouad Ahmad Wadan, another industrial factory owner, said: “Tariffs should be imposed on low-quality imported flour, or its import should be stopped altogether. Companies should also be required to build factories inside Afghanistan and import wheat instead of flour, so jobs are created for our people and the country achieves self-sufficiency.”

According to local officials, more than 1,100 factories are currently active in Herat’s industrial city. They say that with the expansion of industrial factories, Afghanistan has achieved self-sufficiency in several sectors and reduced imports from neighboring countries.