The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, His Excellency Alhaj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, formally inaugurated the commencement of construction works for the Yatim Taq cement production factory in Jowzjan Province.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs underscored that strengthening domestic industry and supporting local production are of critical importance for the country’s economic growth and for advancing accelerated steps toward a gradual transition to a production-based economy, and emphasized the need to address this pressing requirement.
His Excellency further stated that, in continuation of fulfilling this fundamental national responsibility, the practical implementation of this significant factory project has commenced today in Jowzjan, which will play a vital role in strengthening domestic industry, reducing dependence on imports, and contributing to the country’s economic development.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs stated that the principal focus of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the strengthening of domestic industry, and that efforts are ongoing to facilitate the internal processing of raw materials in place of their export.
His Excellency once again called upon the international community to enhance engagement with Afghanistan within the framework of the formal economy and to take advantage of the existing security, political stability, and available potential capacity.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs noted that the constriction of the global and regional political and economic environment, the implementation of exclusionary policies at the international level, and the prolongation of sanctions cannot resolve the challenges of global politics and the global economy; rather, such measures generate risks and diminish the scope of regional and international cooperation.
At the conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs extended congratulations to all citizens on the construction of this factory and urged the relevant institutions and the contracting company to ensure the execution of the project with the highest standards of quality.
For the construction of the Yatim Taq cement production factory, seventy-seven Turkish companies will invest 160 million US dollars. The factory will have a production capacity of 3,000 tons of cement per day and will create employment opportunities for 5,000 citizens, both directly and indirectly. The construction of this factory is scheduled for completion within two years.
