Business
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
Afghanistan is making steady progress toward self-sufficiency in car battery production, officials from the Chamber of Industries and Mines said.
They noted that with consistent support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, particularly in facilitating investment, the country could become both a producer and exporter of car batteries by the end of the current year.
According to the Union of Car Battery Manufacturing Factories, a significant portion of domestic demand is already being met through local production, with full self-sufficiency expected in the near future.
Industry representatives also said Afghan manufacturers have begun exporting car batteries to countries in the Gulf region and parts of Europe, though further expansion depends on improved transport routes and export arrangements.
“Last year, for the first time in Afghanistan’s history, we exported car batteries abroad,” said Abdul Mateen Qalandari, Head of the Secretariat of the Chamber of Industries and Mines. “This year, we expect to export hundreds of containers.”
Manufacturers have called on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to continue restrictions on lead exports and to prioritize the use of domestically produced car batteries in government procurement contracts.
Officials added that the number of car battery manufacturing factories is expected to reach 20 by the end of the year.
Afghanistan currently produces around 38,000 tons of car batteries annually, and industry leaders say local manufacturers have the capacity to further increase output.
“Factories are producing a wide range of car batteries in different sizes, meeting the needs of the domestic market,” said Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Officials from the Ministry of Economy emphasized that the development of domestic industries remains a top priority, adding that efforts are underway to create a more favorable environment for both domestic and foreign investors.
“In the past, car batteries were imported from countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, and China,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs. “However, imports have now declined, and Afghanistan is on track to achieve self-sufficiency in this sector by the end of the year.”
Business
Chinese and Uzbek investors express interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector
During the meeting, the investors reportedly welcomed what they described as improved nationwide security and a more favorable investment environment under the Islamic Emirate.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says a group of investors from China and Uzbekistan have shown interest in investing in the country’s metallic and non-metallic mining sector.
According to the ministry, Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration Hasamuddin Saberi held talks with the foreign investors to discuss potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s mining industry.
During the meeting, the investors reportedly welcomed what they described as improved nationwide security and a more favorable investment environment under the Islamic Emirate. They also expressed readiness to invest in a range of mining projects across Afghanistan.
Saberi welcomed the interest shown by the Chinese and Uzbek delegations and said the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum would provide the necessary cooperation to facilitate investment in accordance with Afghanistan’s mining laws and procedures.
Afghanistan is believed to possess significant untapped reserves of minerals and rare earth resources, and the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly called on foreign investors to participate in the development of the country’s mining sector.
The Office of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has announced a contract worth over $46 million for the construction and outfitting of standard laboratory complexes in Kabul and nine major ports across Afghanistan.
The agreement, signed Wednesday at the Government Media and Information Center, was finalized between Faizullah Tamim, head of the Standards and Quality Authority, and representatives of the Indian international firm TCRC, according to a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Office.
Under the five-year deal, TCRC will establish modern laboratory complexes in the capital and key ports, install advanced equipment, renovate existing facilities, and introduce foreign specialists to strengthen the professional capacity of the authority’s staff.
The project will also provide domestic and international training programs for technical employees and support efforts to secure internationally recognized quality certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Officials said the initiative aims to improve Afghanistan’s quality control systems and enhance standards infrastructure nationwide.
Ariana Afghan Airlines has announced a reduction in cargo service rates on the Kabul–Delhi route as part of efforts to support Afghanistan’s trade and export sector.
The airline said the new cargo rate has been set at $1.20 per kilogram, a move intended to make air freight more affordable and accessible for Afghan traders and exporters.
Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, said the decision is expected to play a significant role in increasing exports of domestic products and strengthening commercial activity between Afghanistan and India.
He added that Ariana will continue to introduce new measures in the future to improve its services and better meet the needs of its customers.
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