A factory in Kandahar produces around 40 tons of steel rebars and beams within 24 hours and has created job opportunities for nearly 150 people.
Factory officials say that if sufficient electricity is provided, production could increase further. Factory manager Torjan Fazli said: “We currently produce between 40 to 50 tons, but if we have the required electricity, we can increase production to 100 tons. Rebars from 8mm to 32mm are produced here.”
Meanwhile, the Kandahar Chamber of Industry and Mines says the southern zone has reached self-sufficiency in rebar production, adding that rebars and beams produced in Kandahar meet international standards.
According to officials, it is planned that sufficient electricity will be provided to factories within the next eight months. Sayed Sarwar Amani, an official of the chamber, said: “Electricity authorities have promised that in a few months Kandahar will have more than enough electricity to meet demand. In the next eight months, we will have sufficient power. Also, the Kajaki Dam is currently full and will supply us with electricity during this period.”
Workers at the factory expressed satisfaction with their jobs and said that if the government provides more facilities to industrialists, more people will find employment in the sector. They also urged traders to establish and activate more factories.
Factory worker Abdul Hakim said: “Here we produce different types of rebars in various millimeter sizes. Our products are supplied not only to Kandahar but also to other provinces.”
Another worker, Sharifullah, said: “I was previously unemployed, but now I have a job here and I am very happy. I also call on other traders and wealthy individuals to build such factories so that thousands of unemployed youth can find work.”
Over the past two decades, Afghan industrialists have managed to produce some of the country’s basic needs domestically despite many challenges. However, shortages of electricity and lack of proper industrial space remain major obstacles to further industrial growth
