Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Taliban, said at the inauguration ceremony of the Yatimtaq cement factory in Jawzjan that restricting international and regional political and economic space, implementing a “policy of exclusion,” and continuing sanctions cannot in any way solve the world’s political and economic problems.
He added that such policies have the opposite effect, increasing threats and reducing regional and international cooperation.
The Taliban official once again called on the international community to strengthen economic engagement with the Taliban and to benefit from what he described as Afghanistan’s “unprecedented security and political stability and its potential capacities.”
He stressed the importance of strengthening domestic industries and supporting local production for economic growth and a gradual transition toward a production-based economy.
Baradar said the Yatimtaq factory would play an important role in strengthening domestic industry, reducing import dependency, and boosting the country’s economy.
He also stated that the Taliban aim to create conditions for domestic processing of raw materials instead of exporting them in raw form.
Construction of the Yatimtaq cement plant officially began today with a $160 million investment from a Turkish company. According to the Taliban, the factory will produce 3,000 tons of cement per day and create direct and indirect employment opportunities for 5,000 people.
The Taliban’s Economic Affairs Office said the construction of the plant is expected to be completed within two years.
