Factory owners complained over the lack of good markets for their products, saying they have been forced to halt their activities due to challenges in the economy.

Banafsha Ahmadi, a female entrepreneur, said that she invested two million Afs into her factory—which was producing food spices—but is now obliged to close it as the demands of the market have dropped.  

“The changes caused a reduction in the people’s economy. We couldn’t pay the salaries of our employees. This is due to the lack of a market,” she said.  

The staff working at this factory said they are struggling with a lack of access to raw materials and face banking problems.  

“We are seven people in the family. I am the only breadwinner for the family. I am very concerned that I might be dismissed. There is no raw material and there is a lot of banking problems,” she said.  

This comes as the Afghanistan Chamber of Industry and Mines said that in addition to the problems in the market, many factories are on rented land, which is causing serious economic challenges.  

The ACIM called on the Ministry of Economy to facilitate long-term economic projects in the country.  

“The women started their trade activities. We hope the government supports them and paves the ground for economic development in the country,” said Mohammad Karim Azimi, a member of the ACIM.  

Of 5,000 factories active inside the country, 2,000 have stopped their operations since the fall of the former government.