KABUL: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, laid the foundation stone for a new Gulbahar cement factory in Herat province on Sunday.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office for Economic Affairs said establishing manufacturing plants is important for meeting domestic needs, increasing exports and national revenues, and promoting economic growth.
Baradar described the construction of the cement factory as an important step toward Afghanistan’s self-sufficiency, adding that the facility would reduce the country’s dependence on imported cement, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the expansion of construction activities.
He said Afghanistan is rich in natural resources and that the Islamic Emirate is working to develop the country’s economic infrastructure by utilizing available resources.
Baradar also said Afghanistan views its geopolitical and economic position as an opportunity to serve as an economic and trade gateway, adding that efforts have been made to transform the country’s borders into centers of trade and economic relations.
The Islamic Emirate has not sought to link trade with political issues and has instead pursued regional and international relations through what he described as appropriate economic diplomacy, he said, adding that tax incentives, exemptions and other necessary facilities have been provided to support investors, while efforts are underway to reduce the impact of financial and banking restrictions and find solutions to existing challenges.
He urged the relevant authorities and the factory’s technical team to complete construction within the scheduled timeframe and ensure high quality throughout the project.
Mullah Baradar laid the foundation stone of new “Gulbahar” cement factory in Herat
