KABUL, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new salt production and processing plant with a daily capacity of 240 metric tons has opened in northern Afghanistan's Balkh province, official Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday.
Built by a domestic investor at a cost of about 8 million U.S. dollars, the factory would meet a significant portion of Afghanistan's domestic salt demand, and efforts were underway to increase output and eventually begin exports, Bakhtar quoted Ghulam Rasool Malikzai, the plant's administrative director, as saying.
Workers at the plant called the launch an important contribution to job creation and urged the government to offer greater support and incentives to investors.
Reportedly, Afghanistan has now achieved self-sufficiency in salt production and processing, marking a milestone in the impoverished country's efforts to develop its extractive industries and reduce dependence on imported goods. ■
