Recently, the Afghan Taliban launched the third phase of the construction of the Ghazi Cement Plant in the northern province of Baghlan. Abdul Ghani Baladar, the Taliban's deputy chief minister for economic affairs, attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Located in Pul-i-Khumri,
the Gaz Cement Plant was built in the 1950s and has long been the heart of the nation's construction cement supply. Over the years, although previous governments had planned to expand its capacity, it was often shelved due to conflicts, lack of funds and other issues. According to the cement big data platform of China Cement Network, the production capacity of Phase I and Phase II of Gaz Cement Plant is 400t/d and 1000t/d respectively.
With the launch of the third phase of the project, Taliban officials say they aim to modernize and expand this traditional facility. Once completed, the plant is expected to increase the total daily output of the Ghazi cement plant to 5,000 tons. The Taliban-run National Development Corporation is responsible for the
project, with a total investment of $86.8 million, which is expected to be completed in 18 months.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr Baladar said the expansion was a "significant step" towards self-sufficiency in cement production and wider industrial development in Afghanistan.
"Industrial development is the key to national growth.". Countries with domestic manufacturing can not only meet their own needs, but also generate income through exports. Baladar said. He also said such projects could help reduce foreign exchange outflows and stabilize the local economy.
Taliban leaders say the expansion will support national reconstruction efforts, stabilize cement prices and create jobs for hundreds of Afghans.
"With this plant, most of our cement needs will be able to achieve local supply." "It will help construction jobs, help stabilize prices and provide livelihoods," Mr. Baladar said.
Baladar also said the Taliban's goal was to reduce its dependence on imports, which has long been a strain on the Afghan economy.