Kandahar industry can meet local demand for 6 items 

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry says six items could meet local demand, urging a halt to their imports.

Syed Sarwar Amani, head of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the items included non-alcoholic drinks, plastic items, iron, cotton, cotton seeds, soap, shampoo and certain other things.

He said in Kandahar, different types of juices, Coca-Cola and other soft drinks were produced and there was no need for the import of these items.

Plastic and iron items used in construction and other areas are produced within the country and there is no need to import them, he added.

He called the non-availability of electricity a huge problem for the industry, forcing a halt to production.

Since electricity supply was not organised, factories’ production is often hampered. The industrial units run by alternative energy sources are very few.

Industrialists say despite the fact that Kandahar is self-sufficient in the production of several items, the local industry is still struggling with several issues.

Zalmai, head of shampoo and soap factory, said they daily supplied up to 2,000 cartons of the two products to the market. Their products met the demand of Kandahar and some other provinces like Kabul.

“We have massive production capacity, but at times we suffer at the hands of individuals who produce soap and shampoo at home to evade taxes and production permits.”

He touted their production quality was pretty high as they exported shampoos to Pakistan and Tajikistan as well.

Sardar Wali, owner of a spice-making factory, recalled most of the spices were imported from Pakistan in the past. However, now the factory produces different type of spices that could meet local demand.

He said their daily production was not organised. His factory produces spices on the basis of public demand and sends them to other provinces in addition to Kandahar.

According to the chamber head, one major obstacle to factories’ production was an inadequate supply of electricity.

He demanded a proper and organised supply of electricity to factories, hoping it would help boost their production.

nh/mud