KABUL, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have inaugurated the second phase of a smelting factory valued at 20 million U.S. dollars in the western province of Herat, the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs has said.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said that the Afghan government has granted priority to industrial advancement, thereby initiating substantial power generation initiatives and electricity importation endeavors.
Many countries have had economic cooperation with Afghanistan, Baradar said.
The expanded phase of the plant possesses the capability to smelt 500 tons of iron daily, according to the office. ■
