160 new factories established in Herat in last 9 months

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): As many as 165 large and small factories initiated operation in western Herat province over the last nine months, an official said on Thursday.

Mufti Mohammad Yousuf Saeed, spokesman for the governor, told Pajhwok Afghan News that these factories produced food items, construction materials, chemicals and other goods.

He said these factories were currently operating in the industrial park of the province.

Saeed added in near future, land for the fifth phase of the industrial park will also be allocated to investors.

The administrative process for this plan is underway, and once implemented, the industrial capacity of Herat will be further developed, he explained.

On the other hand, officials from the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines also say that during the past nine months, Herat has witnessed significant developments in the industry and trade sectors.

Hamidullah Khadem, head of the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, says that a large portion of these factories have been established in the industrial park of Herat, with some still under construction.

He added reducing import tariff on raw materials to 1.5 percent and exempting industrial machinery from import tariffs are among important measures the local government has taken in cooperation with the Chamber of Industries and Mines to support investors.

According to the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, currently 1,160 large and small manufacturing factories are operational in the province, producing a variety of goods, with products being exported to other provinces of Afghanistan and abroad.

kk/ma