A textile factory in Kandahar has resumed operations after an 18-year hiatus caused by the war waged by the United States and its allies in Afghanistan.
According to the Department of Culture and Information of the Taliban, the factory is currently utilizing about 400 of its 3,000 machines to produce textiles for the Ministries of Health, Defense, and Internal Affairs. The remaining 2,600 machines are intended for commercial use, requiring nearly 14,000 workers to operate at full capacity.
The textile factory, which was originally opened under Afghanistan's first president, Mohammad Daoud, includes two workshops capable of processing 7,692 tons of cotton per year and producing 41 mn meters of fabric annually. The facility, built in 1977 by Soviet and German companies, ceased production in 2006 due to the conflict involving the United States.
Dozens of other factories in Afghanistan faced similar disruptions during the war, but production has gradually resumed following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Notably, the state bakery "Silo-e-Markazi" in Kabul resumed production two years ago after a 30-year break.
The reopening of the Kandahar textile factory is expected to provide employment opportunities and contribute to the region's economic growth. As the factory ramps up production, it will need nearly 14,000 workers to operate at full capacity, potentially boosting the local economy by generating income for thousands of families.
The revival of the Kandahar textile factory is part of a broader trend of industrial rejuvenation in Afghanistan. The Taliban government has focused on restoring the country's industrial sector, aiming to stabilize the economy and improve self-sufficiency.
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