IEA seeks to transform Afghanistan from consumer to producer nation: Baradar — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) strategic and economic vision is to gradually transform Afghanistan from a consumer nation into a producer nation, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund has said. Speaking at the inauguration of the first phase of the Shorandam Cement Factory in Kandahar on Thursday, he said Afghanistan should meet its needs through domestic production, expand value chains in manufacturing and increase exports. “We can achieve sustainable economic development only when we use our resources sustainably and take significant steps in industrial policy,” he said. He added that the Islamic Emirate’s goal and responsibility was to establish a production system based on sound economic principles that creates real value and contributes to the country’s development. Baradar said the necessary conditions had been created for implementing major national projects. He said Afghanistan had considerable potential for domestic cement production, which could play a key role in meeting the needs of the country’s construction sector. The deputy prime minister urged officials at the Shorandam Cement Factory to ensure that all operations met recognised standards and maintained high quality. The first phase of the Shorandam Cement Factory has a daily production capacity of 1,500 tonnes and has created direct and indirect employment opportunities for thousands of Afghans.