Our activities to shrink if problems remain: Industrialists

 KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of industrialists in Kabul’s industrial park complain about the lack of electricity, raw materials and lack of access to their funds in banks.

They demanded their problems to be resolved, while the government officials promised that the problems would be addressed soon.

According to a report of Pajhwok Afghan News, the chief executive of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry had said that nearly 70 percent of factories in Kabul industrial park have been closed since the fall of the previous government.

After the fall of the previous political system on August 15, the activities of all government and non-government departments, manufacturing and construction companies, financial institutions, including banks, were suspended but these sectors gradually resumed their activities.

Following the political development, the international community cut off aid to Afghanistan, the US froze Afghanistan’s assets, and as a result, the country faced economic problems.

Pajhwok interviewed a number of industrialists in Kabul, who said if these problems, especially limited bank services, were not resolved; they would have a negative impact on their activities.

Abdul HaqSarwary, head of Human Resource of “Hofiani Iron Melting” factory, in an interview with Pajhwok said: “Before the fall of the political system, there were many problems, but unfortunately, after the regime change our challenges increased.”

He added however security problems had reduced, but some other problems, such as restrictions on banks, reduced imports of raw materials and electric shortages, were among the challenges that increased since the change of political system in the country.

According to him, there are currently about 500 people working inside his factory and 700 outside the factory.

He said they were trying to work with government officials to solve certain problems so that the industrialists could prosper.

According to him, government officials have promised the industrialists that necessary measures will be taken to solve their problems in the near future.

Meanwhile, Haji Zarif Gul Zadran, deputy head of the Kabul Chamber of Industry and head of the “Sarhad factory”, which manufactures shoe products, confirmed Sarwary’s remarks that their problems had increased but security had improved and other problems remained unaddressed.”

He added that industrialists were still facing power shortages and they would increase production capacity if more electricity was provided to them.

“If we have electricity, we will produce 3,000 to 4,000 shoes in one day or 24 hours a day,” Zadran said.

Referring to the restrictions imposed by banks, he added: “Our other problem is that raw materials come from China, Pakistan and Iran; If we do not transfer the money, we will have problems with raw materials, and our biggest problem is the transfer of money.”

“In this regard, the officials of the Islamic Emirate are working hard to eliminate all problems of the craftsmen,” Bilal Karimi, secretary of Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy minister of culture and information, told Pajhwok.

He added that the problem of electricity shortages has decreased compared to the past, adding: “We still see that the situation in the country, especially in Kabul, is good in terms of electricity distribution, there is no cause for concern; “But efforts are underway to improve and increase electricity distribution.”

Referring to lack of raw materials, he said: “Efforts are underway to resolve the problem of transferring of money and it will take some time but will be resolved soon.”

sa/ma

 

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