This photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows a raisin processing facility in Estalif district, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have officially inaugurated a raisin processing facility valued at 8 million U.S. dollars in Estalif district, north of the capital, Kabul, the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs announced on Wednesday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
KABUL, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have officially inaugurated a raisin processing facility valued at 8 million U.S. dollars in Estalif district, north of the capital, Kabul, the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister of Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar described the launch as a vital step toward enhancing the value of Afghanistan's agricultural products.
"It would help boost the local economy, standardize exports, and create employment opportunities for hundreds of citizens," said Baradar.
The plant, built on 128 acres of land, has an annual processing capacity of 10,000 metric tons of raisins. It is equipped with modern machinery to clean, dry, process, and package raisins to meet international standards, the office added.
The packaged raisins are expected to be exported to Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, and several countries across East Asia. ■
This photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows raisins at a raisin processing facility in Estalif district, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have officially inaugurated a raisin processing facility valued at 8 million U.S. dollars in Estalif district, north of the capital, Kabul, the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs announced on Wednesday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
