Afghanistan has inaugurated the first phase of the Shorandam Cement Factory in Kandahar province, marking a step toward expanding domestic cement production and reducing reliance on imports.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, officially opened the facility on Thursday at a ceremony attended by senior officials of the Islamic Emirate.

Speaking at the ceremony, Baradar said sustainable economic development requires the effective use of domestic resources and a shift from a consumer-based economy to a production-driven one.

He stressed the need to boost local production, reduce imports, expand exports and strengthen the country’s industrial sector.

According to officials, the first phase of the factory has a daily production capacity of 1,500 metric tons of cement and is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Work on the second phase is also expected to begin in the future.

Hidayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, said cement production had resumed in Afghanistan for the first time since the Islamic Emirate returned to power.

He added that six major cement production projects are currently underway across the country, involving a combined investment of $662 million.

According to Badri, the projects are expected to create employment opportunities for around 15,000 people and meet nearly 50 percent of Afghanistan’s domestic cement demand once completed.

Islamic Emirate spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also welcomed the factory’s inauguration, describing it as positive news for the country and emphasizing the importance of maintaining production quality and industrial standards.

Afghanistan currently relies heavily on imported cement to meet domestic demand. The expansion of local production is expected to reduce dependence on imports, support the construction industry and create employment opportunities.

Rising food, fuel and agricultural input costs continue to strain Afghan households despite a relatively strong afghani (AFN), according to the World Food Programme’s (WFP) latest weekly market report.

The afghani traded at an average of 64.9 against the US dollar in the first week of October, remaining 2% stronger than a year earlier and 7% above its three-year average. However, several staple foods and essential agricultural inputs remained significantly more expensive than a year ago.

WFP’s report found that prices for Palawi rice were 17% higher than last year, while the lower-priced Sholae variety had risen by 31%. Cooking oil and sugar prices were also up 12% and 10%, respectively, while wheat grain and low-priced wheat flour were both 10% more expensive.

Fuel costs continued to add pressure, with diesel selling at an average of AFN 80.9 per litre, 3% higher than a year earlier and 14% above its three-year average. Fertiliser prices also remained elevated, with urea up 24% and diammonium phosphate (DAP) up 10% year-on-year.

The report highlighted growing pressure on household purchasing power as wages and employment opportunities weakened. Unskilled labour availability averaged just two days per week, 14% below the previous year and 21% below the three-year average. Daily wages for unskilled workers were also 5% lower than a year earlier.

As a result, an unskilled labourer’s daily wage could purchase an average of 9.9 kilograms of low-priced wheat flour, down 13% from a year earlier. The real purchasing power of unskilled labour households fell by 25% year-on-year and stood 30% below the three-year average.

Pastoralist households also faced declining purchasing power. The sale of a one-year-old female sheep could buy 260 kilograms of low-priced wheat flour, 12% less than a year earlier.

Some commodities recorded price declines during the week. Potato prices fell by 4.1%, onions by 3.1% and Palawi rice by 1.9%. However, potatoes remained 25% more expensive than a year earlier, while Palawi rice was 19% above its three-year average.

WFP said the in-kind food basket cost AFN 6,033 in the first week of October, 4% higher than a year earlier. The report also noted significant differences in prices between provinces, reflecting variations in transport costs, market supplies and seasonal availability.

The findings underscore continued pressure on Afghan households, as high essential commodity prices, weak labour availability and declining purchasing power limit access to food despite support from the stronger national currency.

Iran is reviewing measures to remove barriers to exports to neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, as part of efforts to support exporters facing transportation and logistics challenges, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official said.

Hamid Ghanbari, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy, announced the proposals following the 12th meeting of the Economic Relations Coordination Headquarters, which focused on trade diplomacy and non-oil exports.

The meeting, held at the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday, brought together economic deputies from government agencies to discuss exporters’ challenges and coordinate practical solutions.

Ghanbari said disruptions to transportation and logistics had prevented some exporters from fulfilling their obligations. In other cases, exporters who had received foreign currency to import raw materials were unable to complete their purchases because of difficulties along transportation routes.

To address these challenges, Iranian authorities have proposed revising existing procedures and regulations governing exporters’ obligations. Ghanbari said the proposed measures had received approval from relevant government agencies.

Iran Seeks to Facilitate Regional Trade

The Iranian official also highlighted proposals to resolve problems affecting exports to neighboring countries, particularly Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.

He said the proposals could be pursued through negotiations with foreign counterparts, with Iran’s embassies and consulates expected to follow up on the relevant issues.

The initiative comes as Iran seeks to maintain its export flows and strengthen regional trade links despite ongoing economic and logistical challenges.

Ghanbari expressed hope that the measures would help preserve existing export markets, improve the targeting of shipments and support further growth in Iran’s non-oil exports.

However, the specific measures for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, as well as the timeline for their implementation, have not yet been announced.

If implemented, the proposals could help address some of the obstacles facing Iranian exporters trading with neighboring markets, including Afghanistan.