Factories in Sheikh Misri town on the verge of closure

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Businesspeople in eastern Nangarhar province say lack of electricity and security and continued land grab remain key obstacles to investments in the Sheikh Misri industrial town

The Sheikh Misri industrial town was established during the Taliban regime. Currently, dozens of factories are operating there, providing job opportunities for around 2,000 people.

The town has capacity for 635 factories which will provide employment to thousands of people if security, electricity and other facilities for the town maintained.

Tor Malang Shagiwal, director of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told Pajhwok Afghan News that three townships had been set up in the province for the development of industry.

The Sheikh Misri town is operating and the two others are inactive. According to the official, who warned businessmen would withdraw their investments if the problems of power supply, security and land grab were not solved.

He said currently dozens of factories were functioning in the industrial town, but investors faced security threats, with thieves and kidnappers repeatedly stealing large amounts of money from the investors. Some of them have even been killed.

Eng. Qaseem, a trader whose son was recently killed and his bodyguard injured by gunmen, stressed the resolution of the security issue.

He said only one security check-post existed in the park. The security personnel manning the post were unable to secure the entire town.

Attaullah Khogyani, the governor’s spokesman, said the provincial administration was in constant contact with traders, factory owners and investors,

The government had been listening to their concerns and assuring them of addressing their problems. Khogyani claimed.

He said the power utility and security organs had been instructed to work on addressing the issues of the industrial park.

Khogyani added Surkh Rod district officials had been tasked with retaking the usurped land and paving the way for investors to build factories.

sa/mud

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