Some factories in Balkh suspended activities

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, and some traders in northern Balkh province say that shortage of raw materials in the provincial capital and inactivity of banking services have caused some factories to suspend their activities in the province.

However, the officials and traders say that they are hopeful the situation will return to normal once the new government was established.

Mohammad Hassan Ansari, executive director of Chamber of Commerce and Investment of Balkh told Pajhwok Afghan News that that some factories had suspended their activities in the province.

He did not provide the exact numbers of factories which stopped their activities, but said that the main reason of the problem was lack of raw materials in the market.

However, he was hopeful that imports of raw materials would resume and factories start their activities once the new government established in the near future.

Ansari said that the situation in the country ports was getting better with each passing day.

A trader, Haji Mohammad Amin said that shortage of cash money in the market was also a reason that some factories stopped their activities.

He said that many banks were still shut and some banks which were open allowed very little amount of money to be withdrawn.

Amin said that many factory owners had no much money to fund their manufacturing process.

He said that establishment of the new government was very important for restoring commercial situation.

“Taliban should announce the new administration so people get assured and resume their businesses, there is currently no money and people are not sure about the future,” he said.

Zainab, who worked in tailoring factory, said that she lost her job 10 days ago and was currently stayed at home.

She said that 18 other women were also working in the factory and they were attributing to their families economy.

The factory was closed and all workers went home until the factory resumes its activities, she said.

Zainab also waits for the establishment of the new government so it would help people to start their jobs and improve their economy.

A Taliban’s cultural official in the northern zone of the country, Zabihullah Noorani said that people’s businesses were returning to normal with each passing day.

He said that the market was open and people normally visited them for buying their needs.

mds