Takhar shoe makers thrilled as industry boost recently

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Some shoe makers in northern Takhar province have been thrilled over the current boost in their business and said if supported by the government they could generate work opportunities for other people as well.

Mohammad Raqib, one of the local shoe makers along with four other workers, is busy making shoes. He told Pajhwok Afghan News by using local lather he strived to revive the local shoe making industry.

He said locally made shoes were of high quality and reasonable in price, adding that if support by the government and people have greater will to purchase local items the shoe makers could help generate job opportunities for other people in this sector as well.

Hayatullah, other shoemakers who inherited this skill from his father, said he strived to keep the cultural of local shoe making alive.

He said their business had improved lately and people were more interested in buying local shoes.

He, however, complained against the lack of attention by the government and said: “Due to the lack of advanced machinery in the country, I import most of the necessary materials from neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Iran, the price of which is high for me, while we have the ability to prepare any necessary materials, if the government pay attention in the preparation of advanced machinery domestically”

Tajuddin, another domestic shoe maker in Takhar, said if the government promoted this industry they would be able to generate work opportunities for youth so then no one will be migrating and the issue of unemployment would be also addressed.

He also stressed that people should use local products instead of foreign imported branded shoes, adding that the use of local shoes by Takhar resident helped promoted their industry.

Shabir Ahmad, is learning the art of shoe making at one of the factory, said this industry helped prevent him from going abroad and being unemployed.

He asked other youths to get engaged in such factories and learn the art of shoe making.

Sayed Iqbal, a local resident, said in the past he used foreign products but now he decided to switch to local product.

He said foreign products were expensive and its quality was low as well comparing to domestic products.

“From onwards I have decided to use local products and I want to ask other people to switch to local products as well.”

Safar Mohammad, another Taloqan resident, said local products are of high quality and asked people to use local products in order to strength national economy and help generate work opportunities in the handicraft and industrial sector of the country.

Takhar Commerce and Industry Director Mawlavi Ziauddin Dilawari assured of the government support from local products and added government support all local industrialists and industry and never ignore the development and promotion of local industry.

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