MAZAR-I-SHARIF: The inauguration of a power sub-station on Saturday enabled at least 102 factories to resume production in northern Balkh province, an official said.
The substation worth $1 million was installed at the Ali Sher Nawai industrial park in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) head Qurban Haqju told Pajhwok Afghan News.
Of the 116 factories in the industrial park, only 14 were operational using their own electricity over the past few years and the remaining 102 factories had stopped operations due to a lack of electricity, he said.
However, the deputy head of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries for Balkh, Tahir Roshanzada, said the industrial park still faced a several other issues such as lack of infrastructure, roads, canalization and professional works.
Haqju said illegal imports of the same goods was another problem facing the factories, adding his office would present a list of problems facing traders at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.
