The Afghan government has signed a major contract worth over 46 million US dollars with an Indian company for the construction and equipping of modern standard laboratories across the country.
Kabul 24: The agreement was finalized on Wednesday, 23 Saur (May 14, 2026), in the presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
The contract was signed between Faizullah Tamim, Director General of the Afghanistan National Standards Authority (ANSA), and a representative of the Indian company TCRC at the Government Media and Information Center.
Under the terms of the five-year project, the Indian company will establish fully equipped standard laboratory complexes in Kabul and nine major commercial border points of Afghanistan.
The project includes the installation of advanced laboratory equipment and the repair and upgrading of existing facilities.
This initiative aims to significantly strengthen Afghanistan’s national quality control and standards infrastructure.In addition to physical construction and equipment supply, the project places strong emphasis on capacity building.
Foreign specialists will be brought in to train Afghan staff, while comprehensive training programs — both domestic and international — will be organized to enhance the professional skills of employees at the Standards Authority. These programs are designed to improve technical expertise in testing, calibration, and certification processes.
According to the official statement, the project also includes support for obtaining internationally recognized ISO certifications from the International Organization for Standardization.
Achieving ISO accreditation is expected to boost confidence in Afghan products and facilitate greater access to international markets.
This substantial investment reflects the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to modernizing technical infrastructure, improving product quality, and supporting economic development.
High-standard laboratories will play a crucial role in testing food products, medicines, construction materials, agricultural goods, and other commodities.
They will help prevent the entry of substandard and counterfeit goods while ensuring compliance with international quality requirements.
The signing of this $46 million contract highlights growing economic cooperation between Afghanistan and international companies, particularly from India.
Officials believe successful implementation of the project will not only enhance domestic quality assurance but also pave the way for increased exports and stronger trade relations.
This development comes as part of broader efforts to rebuild and modernize Afghanistan’s technical and economic foundations following years of conflict.
The establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories is viewed as a strategic step toward creating a more competitive and reliable business environment in the country.
