$34m standard commercial market opens in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The deputy prime minister for administrative affairs has inaugurated a multimillion commercial market in Kabul.

During the inauguration ceremony, Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi said construction of the $34 million market, which began in January 2023, was completed on Tuesday.

Funded by the private sector, the nine-storey market has been built on 9,361 square metres, having two telecommunication rooms, 1,300 shops, a mosque and a parking area for 2,000 vehicles.

Additionally, the market has elevators urban and solar power supply systems, a fire-fighting mechanism and other international-standard facilities.

Hanafi also highlighted a revenue-sharing model for the market, with 30 percent of proceeds allocated to the government and 70 percent going to the private sector.

He added the land for the market was jointly owned by the Ministry of Finance, the National Bank and the Kabul Municipality.

In his speech, Hanafi reiterated the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's commitment to peaceful and mutually respectful relations with neighbours.

He emphasised Afghanistan did not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and called for a similar approach from the international community.

If anyone meddled in its internal matters, Afghanistan reserved the right under Shariah and international law to defend itself, the deputy premier commented.

Director of Investment Facilitation at the Administrative Affairs Office (AAO), Eng. Ahmad Zia Khalid said that since the re-establishment of IEA, contracts worth nine billion afghanis had been signed in private and public partnerships across various sectors.

He added several more construction projects were expected to be initiated next year.

Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi Khadem, chief of staff to the prime minister, claimed the security of traders and investors had been ensured with the re-establishment of the IEA. He urged Afghan traders abroad to invest in their homeland.

sa/mud