Cotton-processing factory starts functioning in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Officials of the Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials say a cotton-processing factory worth two million dollars has started functioning in the provincial capital.
The privately-owned factory — Siam International — has been built on three acres of land in Mazar-i-Sharif, according to officials.
Syed Mohammad Hashim Hashimi, a senior official of the plant, said the factory had the capacity to process 70 thousand kilograms of cotton in 24 hours.
The factory provided employment opportunities for at least 300 people, he said.
Maulvi Burjan, deputy head of the Balkh governor’s office, said security had been strengthened and they were trying to provide entrepreneurs with an ideal investment environment.
Meanwhile, Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Asadullah Asadi hoped the factory would lead Afghanistan to self-sufficiency in cotton ginning.
About 300 small and large industrial units are currently operating in the northern province, a major draw for domestic and foreign tourists.