Afghanistan has started construction of a major pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the southern Kandahar province as part of efforts to strengthen domestic production and reduce dependence on imported medicines.

According to a statement from the Kandahar government office, the project marks a step toward increasing industrial self-sufficiency and expanding the country's pharmaceutical sector.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar highlighted the strategic importance of developing domestic industries.

"Economic independence and self-sufficiency can only be achieved through comprehensive and determined measures in the industrial sector," Baradar said, adding that Afghanistan has created more favorable conditions for investment.

Facility to cover part of domestic medicine demand

The privately funded pharmaceutical plant will be built with an investment of $30 million in the Aino Maina area of Kandahar city.

The facility will cover an area of 10,000 square meters and is expected to contribute to Afghanistan's efforts to expand local pharmaceutical production.

Official figures show that Afghanistan currently produces 1,170 types of medicines in 134 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities across the country.

These facilities currently meet around 38 per cent of Afghanistan's total medicine demand, according to official data.

The new investment is expected to further increase domestic production capacity and reduce the country's reliance on imported pharmaceutical products.(ILKHA)