Herat stone industry meets domestic demand, boosts exports — Pajhwok

HERAT (Pajhwok): Officials and industry representatives in Herat say 45 decorative stone processing factories operating in the western province’s industrial park are meeting domestic demand, while part of their output is exported to neighbouring countries and regional markets. Mohammad Naser Amin, head of the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 45 factories were currently engaged in the production and processing of decorative stones in the Herat Industrial Park. He said the province’s stone industry had reached self-sufficiency, with its products meeting domestic demand while also being exported to Turkmenistan, Iran, several Arab countries and other regional markets. According to Amin, millions of US dollars have been invested in the extraction, production and processing of decorative stones, contributing to the industry’s expansion, increased exports and the creation of employment opportunities. Akram Najibi, head of a decorative stone manufacturing company in Herat, said his factory produces and processes various types of decorative and construction stones in different designs and sizes. “Our products are processed in accordance with international standards and are capable of competing with products from Europe and the United States in terms of quality,” he said. Najibi explained stone extracted from mines undergoes several stages of cutting, polishing, designing, processing and packaging before being supplied to domestic and international markets. He said marble and travertine…