HERAT - The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) have expressed concern over the viability of factories located at Herat’s industrial park as concerns mount over long delays in granting work visas for skilled foreign workers.

ACCI Deputy Chairman Khan Jan Alokozai alleged that neighboring countries were trying to undermine Afghan factories by less expensive and poor quality products within Afghanistan. Recently, a steel factory in Herat closed.
Another problem identified by Mr. Alokozai was the slow way that visas get issued to foreign skilled workers. He called the process time-consuming and complicated.

The Herat chapter of the ACCI said some of its members have threatened to close their operations at the industrial park if foreign workers are not quickly issued visas.

An ACCI spokesman in Herat, Toryalai Ghausi, who is also a deputy president of the Industrial Union, called on the government to open a visa office for foreign workers in Herat and provide other facilities to encourage foreign skilled workers to relocate.

According to Herat officials, only 100 factories out 350 are operating at Herat’s industrial park. The facility was meant to spur regional development and was built several years ago at a cost $100 (USD) million.

The owner of the recently closed steel melting factory, Asmatullah Wardak, said his factory would remain closed until his foreign workers were issued visas. He has invested $22 million in the factory, the largest private investment in Herat in recent years.