43 billion AFN invested in cement production since the advent of IEA

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs emphasized that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is prioritizing the enhancement of the country’s economy and is utilizing various strategies to achieve this goal, particularly by bolstering the nation’s infrastructure through cement production. The Deputy Minister further elaborated that efforts are underway to achieve self-sufficiency in cement production by reviving existing cement factories and establishing new ones.

Notable examples include the cement plants in Ghori (Baghlan), Jabal al-Saraj (Parwan), Shorandam (Kandahar), Yatim Taq (Jawzjan), and Herat. The Jabal al-Saraj cement factory, initially built by the Islamic Emirate at a cost of 70 million Afghanis, is currently undergoing expansion with an investment of around 15 billion Afghanis from foreign and domestic companies. Similarly, investments of 7 billion Afghanis and approximately 10 billion Afghanis are being made in the Shorandam and Herat cement factories, respectively.

An agreement was recently signed between the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and 77 Turkish companies, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, to construct a cement production facility in Yatim Taq, Jawzjan province, with an investment of about 11 billion Afghanis. These initiatives are expected to boost domestic cement production, leading to increased employment opportunities for numerous individuals.

Moreover, two Afghan and Chinese companies have shown interest in investing $200 million for the establishment of a cement factory in Balkh Province.