Taliban Approves Plan to Establish Special Economic Zones in Seven Afghan Provinces

DID Press: Taliban’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs has announced approval of a plan to establish special economic zones in seven provinces of Afghanistan, aiming to attract investment, expand domestic production and boost exports.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, approved the action plan on Wednesday, November 11, according to an announcement by his office.

The proposed zones will be established in Kabul, Balkh, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Herat, Paktia and Kunduz provinces.

Under the plan, the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has been tasked with identifying suitable land in coordination with relevant institutions and determining the economic activities and services appropriate to each zone’s potential.

The plan also includes developing essential infrastructure and services and creating conditions to encourage investment by domestic and foreign businesses.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s office said the initiative is expected to strengthen domestic production, increase exports and help reduce imbalances in Afghanistan’s trade. However, achieving these objectives will depend on infrastructure development, securing investment and creating favourable conditions for private-sector activity.