The foundation stone has been laid for three new pharmaceutical production blocks at Ovison Pharma in Herat, with an investment of $30 million, while the factory’s new serum and injectable production line has also been inaugurated.

The new production blocks will be constructed on a 3,000-square-metre site, with each facility planned to have five floors. Equipped with advanced machinery and designed to meet international standards, the expansion is expected to significantly increase the factory’s pharmaceutical production capacity.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated serum and injectable production line is capable of producing up to 100,000 packages of serum per day.

The expansion marks a significant step toward strengthening Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical industry, increasing domestic production and reducing the country’s reliance on imported medicines.

The investment is also expected to support the development of local manufacturing capacity and improve access to domestically produced pharmaceutical products.

Afghanistan’s Economic Commission has approved a new foreign investment policy aimed at attracting international investors, improving investment opportunities and supporting the country’s economic growth.

The decision was made during the commission’s regular meeting, chaired by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, at the Marble Palace on Monday.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for Economic Affairs, the proposed policy was presented by a committee established under the leadership of the economic deputy office. Following a comprehensive review and consideration of the commission’s recommendations, the policy was approved.

The policy aims to regulate foreign investment activities, facilitate investment procedures, create a favourable environment for investors, ensure investment security and promote Afghanistan’s economic growth and development.

During the meeting, the commission also approved a proposal concerning the payment of fixed taxes by commercial import companies at the country’s customs offices.

Officials said implementing the proposal would create additional facilities and simplify procedures for importing businesses.

The decisions have been forwarded to the office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate for final approval.

Afghanistan and Iran have held talks on expanding bilateral trade, improving cross-border commerce and creating new investment opportunities for businesses in both countries.

The discussions took place during a meeting between a trade delegation from Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and representatives of the Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce.

The Afghan delegation was led by Kamaluddin Tawhid, Chairman of the Afghanistan-Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce, who met with his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Seyadat, along with members of the chamber’s board of directors. Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mashhad, Noor Mohammad Mutawakkil, also attended.

The talks focused on strengthening economic cooperation, streamlining trade procedures at ports and border crossings, and encouraging joint investment by Afghan and Iranian companies.

Participants also raised several practical obstacles affecting commercial activities, including foreign exchange obligations, visa arrangements for Afghan truck drivers and the movement of Afghan freight vehicles through Iranian territory.

Tawhid highlighted Kandahar’s economic potential and investment opportunities across Afghanistan, urging Iranian businesses to play a greater role in the country’s economy.

He also pointed to investment opportunities identified by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, stressing the need for improved facilities for private-sector businesses and closer cooperation between the two countries’ commercial communities.

Both sides agreed to follow up on the issues raised, improve coordination between relevant economic institutions and work towards removing barriers to trade.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen commercial exchanges and expand trade and investment relations between Afghanistan and Iran.