Economic Deputy PM Unveils Three Key Factories in Herat Province

During his visit to Herat Province, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, marked April 28 by inaugurating three significant factories:

Etook Pharma and Afghan Medicine for pharmaceuticals, and Shams Cola for non-alcoholic beverages.

The ceremony was attended by the governor of Herat, Sheikh Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the commander of 207 Al-Farooq Corps, Maulvi Nasrullah Mati, national entrepreneurs, investors, and health experts. Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund emphasized that a nation’s economic growth stems from industrial endeavors.

He highlighted Afghanistan’s journey towards industrialization under the re-established Islamic Emirate, noting the country’s newfound self-sufficiency in several sectors as a pivotal step towards economic stability. Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund urged domestic investors to uphold quality standards in their products, stressing the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to prioritize local goods in government procurement.

He underscored the support for the private sector, emphasizing preferential treatment for domestic products and increased tariffs on imported goods with local alternatives. Addressing healthcare, the Deputy PM praised the pharmaceutical factories for their high quality and potential to alleviate medicine shortages in Herat.

Etook Pharma’s $10 million investment will yield 50 tablet variants, while Afghan Medicine’s $16 million venture will produce numerous medicine types. Shams Cola, having invested millions in its beverage manufacturing facility, will offer a diverse product range.

It is worth mentioning that these factories have provided direct employment to hundreds of individuals