Tuesday, August 11, 2026
The ceremony for a cement production plant was held in Herat Province, attended by Mr. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs; Mr. Mawlavi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs; Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI); and Mr. Haji Faiz Ahmad Khawafi, ACCI Deputy for Provincial Affairs, in the presence of several cabinet members, government officials, traders, investors, and representatives of the private sector.
The plant will be constructed with an investment of $143 million by Mr. Gulbahar Habibi, ACCI Deputy for Commercial Affairs. Upon completion, the plant will have a production capacity of 3,000 tons of cement per day. The project is considered an important step toward strengthening the country’s production capacity, developing key industries, increasing domestic production, creating employment opportunities, and reducing dependence on imported cement.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund described investment in the production and industrial sectors as a key driver of Afghanistan’s economic growth. He emphasized the importance of supporting investors, expanding economic activities, and creating suitable conditions for the implementation of major industrial projects.
Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, welcomed the launch of the project and described large-scale investment in the industrial sector as a fundamental necessity for the country’s economy. He also emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector, strengthening domestic production, and improving the investment environment.
Mr. Faiz Ahmad Khawafi, ACCI Deputy for Provincial Affairs, described the launch of the project as an effective step toward strengthening Herat’s industrial base and emphasized the need to support investors and provide the necessary facilities for expanding industrial activities.
Upon completion and commencement of operations, the plant will help meet part of the domestic market’s cement demand through local production. It will also create direct and indirect employment opportunities, contribute to the development of the construction industry’s value chain, and stimulate economic activities in Herat Province.
Government officials and economic stakeholders described the launch of this major industrial project as an important step toward achieving greater self-sufficiency in cement production, increasing domestic output, and strengthening the role of the private sector in Afghanistan’s economy.
