For the first time since the fall of the former government, a joint exhibition of artisan women and men was held in Kabul on Sunday.

In this exhibition, out of one hundred craftsmen, forty women exhibited their handicrafts, ornaments and traditional clothes.

According to officials, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of the artisans was the purpose of the exhibition.

“In the previous exhibitions, women worked independently. Under the current government, there are some restrictions for women, but we are safe, and we are happy,” said Asema Kohistani, a craftswoman.

“We were afraid that the Islamic Emirate might not allow us, but now we have the permission, and we urge the Islamic Emirate to provide us the opportunity of going to university,” said Madina Zadran, another industrial worker.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister for trade and industry said they will reduce the fares in the industrial parks by 50% to the support the artisans.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said the government is working seriously to solve the problems of the business people in the country.

“The international community aid is for short periods of time, we welcome humanitarian assistance, but we do not rely on it. We must increase our capacity,” he added.

In the meantime, officials from the Afghanistan Chamber of Mines and Industry (ACMI) said that they are struggling with the lack of raw materials in various sectors as winter comes and if this problem is not solved, a large number of factories will close.

“This winter around 5,000 factories do not have raw materials. How can we transfer money abroad? The banking system is closed. Most of the factories will stop due to the lack of raw materials,” said Shirbaz Kaminzada, ACMI head.

Statistics show that around 5,000 factories are active in the country and these factories have provided job opportunities for thousands of people.