In brief
On October 30, Afghanistan inaugurated its first large‑scale cement plant in Kandahar province. Built on 100 acres at a cost of $113 million, the facility can make 1,500 tons of cement daily and is designed to expand to 5,000 tons. The plant, which employs around 1,000 people, marks a shift toward domestic production and is part of a broader plan that includes another plant under construction in Parwan.
Afghanistan opened its first big cement factory in the southern province of Kandahar on Thursday, a key step toward making its own building materials.
According to Xinhua, the plant sits on 100 acres and cost $113 million. It can produce 1,500 tons of cement each day, and it is planned to grow to 5,000 tons in the future.
The facility currently employs about 1,000 people, with the workforce expected to rise as production ramps up, Xinhua reported.
Head of the Kandahar Chamber of Mines and Industries Sayed Sarwar Amani said the project shows how serious the government is about developing industry. He urged more investors to come to Afghanistan.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar also spoke at the ceremony. He pledged the government would support investment and encouraged industrialists to help build more factories.
Afghanistan is already building another cement plant in Jabal Saraj district of eastern Parwan province. Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said more works will be added to reach self‑sufficiency in cement production.
These plants will provide jobs and help the country use its own resources for building projects instead of relying on imports.
