New oil refinery worth $50m inaugurated in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A new oil refinery has been inaugurated in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, with a $50 million investment.

Suhrab Samadi, the head of the refinery, said that the facility was built on 50,000 square meters of land over a period of seven months and opened on Thursday.

The refinery has a refining capacity of 600 tons of oil per day and 18,000 tons per month, providing employment for around 100 individuals.

Amir Mohammad Muttaqi, Director of Industry and Commerce for Balkh, emphasized that such factories are crucial for the country’s economic growth, job creation, and improving the overall quality of life.

He says that the government is focused on standardizing domestic production.

Muttaqi highlighted the commitment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to protect the rights of traders and industrialists, remove obstacles, and foster greater investment opportunities.

During the inauguration, Ahmad Zia, Head of Investment Facilitation at the Office of Administrative Affairs, remarked, "The Islamic Emirate has consistently supported traders. Currently, approximately 100,000 acres of land across the country have been allocated for industrial parks, with 10,000 acres designated in Balkh."

Additionally, Mohammad Tahir Roshanzada, Deputy Head of the Chamber of Industries and Mines of Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of providing incentives for investors.

He urged, “Newly established factories and companies require cooperation, and the government should at least collaborate with investors by offering tax reductions for the first three years.”

This oil refinery in Balkh opens at a time when there are already nine other oil refineries operating in the province.

sa