$8m raisin processing plant inaugurated in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): A raisin processing factory has been set up with an investment of eight million US dollars in Istalif district of capital Kabul.

The factory has the annual capacity to process 10,000 tonnes of raisins.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, addressing the inauguration ceremony, described the execution of the factory as a significant step toward enhancing the value of agricultural products, his office said in a statement.

He noted it would help boost the local economy, standardize exports, and create employment opportunities for hundreds of citizens—thus making a meaningful contribution to national economic growth.

The deputy premier said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has given special attention to the agricultural sector and launched several water management projects aimed at strengthening the agricultural economy.

He added the caretaker government has facilitated agricultural exports to regional and international markets, organised exhibitions to promote Afghan produce and increased tariffs on imported goods that were produced domestically.

He further noted IEA prioritised the use of domestic agricultural products and had made progress in areas such as irrigation system improvement, construction of cold storage facilities and the establishment of processing and packaging factories.

Baradar stressed the importance of quality and packaging standards for agricultural exports and highlighted their role in boosting Afghanistan’s credibility and trade relations.

He said: “IEA is focusing heavily on regional connectivity to enhance trade, and fortunately, Afghanistan’s railway network has expanded, strengthening and broadening the country’s commercial ties with many nations.”

He added that efforts were being made to fully activate the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and discussions on this matter were recently held with participating countries during the latest ECO summit, aiming to improve Afghanistan’s access to European markets.

According to him, the interim government has created favourable conditions for investment across various sectors, and investors can now engage in agriculture, industry, mining, energy, telecommunications, transport, and services.

Mullah Baradar welcomed the investment and operational launch of the Afghan Samun Raisin Processing Factory and assured its officials of all necessary cooperation.

He urged them to prioritise quality and standardised processing and packaging over quantity.

The Afghan Samun Raisin Processing Factory is built on 64 acres of land, with an investment of $8 million.

It has the capacity to process 10,000 tonnes of raisins annually. The processed and packaged raisins will be exported to Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and East Asian countries.

kk/ma