The Islamic Emirate on Sunday announced that it has been agreed to turn military bases left by foreign forces into “special economic zones.”

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce will be in charge of the program, according to a tweet by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Office.

The deputy PM office noted that the bases in Balkh and Kabul will be the only ones to start pilot operations for this purpose.

“Following a thorough discussion, it was decided that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce should progressively take the control of the remaining military bases left by foreign forces with the intention of turning them into special economic zones,” the office said. “For this purpose, pilot operations will begin only on bases in Balkh and Kabul.”

“It is good if they are used for economic purposes such as factories, warehouses, cold storage facilities, or economic activities,” said Sarwar Niazi, an analyst.

The Ministry of Economy said that turning military facilities into “special economic zones” will help develop the country’s economy.

“These military bases have good and desirable facilities and span a vast geographical area, which might be beneficial for economic activity and economic mobility,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, the deputy minister of economy.

“I think it is better for us to turn them into economic centers if the Afghan government cannot use the military bases for military purposes,” said Abdul Nasir Reshtia, an analyst.

At the regular meeting of the Economic Commission, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, also discussed major infrastructure projects. 

These projects would be added to the budget for the following year to complete projects that have stalled, said the deputy prime minister’s office. 

Foreign troops had established military bases in various Afghan provinces. Bagram military base was one of the most important installations in the country.