Around 59,000 tons of cotton is grown in Afghanistan but there are no factories to process the fibre further. In this context the government there has sought plans from the industrialists to revive the textile industry in the country. Afghanistan had atleast seven textile manufacturing plants that employed 30,000 people.

Afghanistan finance ministry spokesman Ajmal Hamid Abdul Rahimzai said industrialist’s recommendations should be both in the interests of the government and the private sector.

Wars over the years have destroyed the previously existing textile factories in Kabul, Balkh, Kandahar, Parwan, and Baghlan.

Afghanistan has already a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in place with the Indian government for developing textile industry. As per the MoU, both countries agreed to cooperate in developing closer economic relations and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of textiles, clothing, cotton, man-made fibre and handlooms.

Afghanistan is endowed with very rich quality of cotton, silk and cashmere, and hence it has huge potential for development of the textile industry, which is a good source for jobs and employment, Amar Sinha, Indian ambassador to Afghanistan, had said during the signing of the MoU.

The revival of the textile industry is important for economic development of Afghanistan and cotton can be one of the alternate crops to move away from opium cultivation.

– Apparel and Textile News, Apparel Talk, Indian Apparel