Female saffron exporter wants access to global exhibitions

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): The only woman saffron exporter in western Herat province says the government should support and facilitate their participation in international exhibitions.

She has provided jobs to many women who are the only breadwinners of their families.

Nasima Ibrahimi, manager of Afghan saffron production and processing company and the only female saffron exporter in Herat, told Pajhwok Afghan News she first invested in the saffron business nearly five years ago and she developed her small business.

She said after her business developed, she provided jobs directly and indirectly for seven women.

Ibrahimi asked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to support her and facilitate her participation in international exhibitions.

She said she had no contact directly with foreign costumers and she sold her products to local merchants. In this way, traders and farmers benefitted less and foreign traders the most.

According to her, she has been exporting saffron to Europe, America, India and other provinces of the country since last four years.

Women working in her company said they were able to meet their daily needs.

Madina Zamani, one of them, told Pajhwok Afghan News she worked in a feminine environment and supported her family, Madina is the only supporter of her family.

Working in the company’s peaceful environment enabled her to overcome her financial and mental problems, Zamani added.

Ferozan, another employee, corroborated Zamani’s account and said the government should support businesswomen. With her jobs, she solved 40 percent of her family problems.

She said her duty was weigh, process and pack saffron.

Economic experts say the government can support businesswomen by tax exemptions, creating facilities for export and incentives for domestic and foreign businesswomen.

Shamsullah Fazel, a professor at Herat University, said the government should grant small loans to businesswomen and create tax exemptions and incentives.

Maulvi Mohammad Bashir Sirat, Head of Industry and Trade, promised to provide facilities to traders in export and import sectors and they were trying to encourage investments.

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