Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has laid the foundation stone for the Imam Shaqiq Balkhi Industrial Township near Hairatan in Balkh. Afghan media have described the project as covering roughly 22,000 jeribs and intended to expand industrial land, domestic production and export capacity.
In additional remarks reported by Pajhwok, Baradar said the government aims to gradually shift Afghanistan toward a production-oriented economy, connect its young workforce with industry and help Afghan-made goods reach regional and international markets. These are stated government policy objectives and projected benefits.
According to a statement from Baradar’s office cited by Pajhwok, the industrial park is expected to ease shortages of industrial land, create opportunities for investors, reduce reliance on imports and generate thousands of jobs. Baradar also called for Hairatan to develop beyond an import route into a corridor for exports of processed and manufactured Afghan goods.
Pajhwok described the project area as 11,000 acres, while earlier Afghan media reports described it as about 22,000 jeribs. The two figures are broadly consistent when expressed in the different land units.