Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, officially inaugurated the construction of the Yatim Taq cement production factory in Jowzjan province on Monday.
Kabul 24: During the ceremony, Mullah Baradar emphasized that strengthening domestic industry and supporting local production form the foundation for Afghanistan’s economic growth and its gradual shift toward a production-based economy.
He described the launch of this major industrial project as a clear reflection of ongoing efforts to expand domestic production capacity, reduce reliance on imports, and promote sustainable economic development.
Baradar stated that the economic policy of the Islamic Emirate focuses on developing local production and ensuring the processing of raw materials inside the country rather than exporting them in unprocessed form.
He highlighted that such initiatives help decrease external dependency while creating broad employment opportunities and advancing economic self-sufficiency.
The Deputy Prime Minister also called on the international community to strengthen economic engagement with Afghanistan through official channels.
He pointed to improvements in the security environment, political stability, and untapped economic opportunities in the country. Baradar warned that restricting global economic cooperation, pursuing policies of isolation, and prolonging sanctions would not resolve international economic challenges.
Instead, he said, such measures would create new risks and weaken regional and global partnerships.At the conclusion of his remarks, Mullah Baradar congratulated Afghan citizens on the start of this important project and urged relevant officials and the contracting company to ensure high-quality construction and timely completion.
The Yatim Taq cement factory is being built by a Turkish company with a total investment of $160 million. Upon completion, the plant is expected to produce 3,000 tons of cement per day and generate around 5,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.
The project is scheduled to be finished within two years.This factory represents a significant step toward economic self-reliance in Afghanistan. Once operational, it will help meet domestic demand for cement, support the construction sector, and contribute to infrastructure development across the country.
Officials hope that the successful implementation of such projects will pave the way for attracting further domestic and foreign investments, driving the Afghan economy toward sustainable growth.
