The Islamic Emirate on Tuesday signed a multi-million dollar contract with Turkish 77 Company for a new cement factory in the Yatim Taq area of Jawzjan Province in northern Afghanistan.

The contract was signed in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund.

Turkish 77 Company will invest $163 million in the factory, which will have a daily output of 3,000 tons of cement once completed.

Also in attendance on Tuesday were officials from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum who stated that the contract, which allows the Turkish company to explore, extract, produce cement, and deliver social services, is valid for 30 years.

The establishment of this cement production plant will directly create around 1,200 jobs for local citizens.

In addition to the signing of this contract, the ministry also inked contracts worth $476 million with several domestic and foreign companies for cement projects in Jabal al-Saraj, Kandahar, and Herat.

The IEA has said this is in line with their aim of propelling the country towards self-sufficiency in the cement sector.

China will offer the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) tariff-free access to its vast construction, energy and consumer sectors, Beijing's envoy to Afghanistan said on Thursday.

Beijing has sought to develop its ties with the IEA since they took control of Afghanistan in 2021, but like all governments has refrained from formally recognising the government. 

Although an impoverished country, Afghanistan could offer a wealth of mineral resources to boost Beijing's supply chain security. 

Selling Afghanistan's lithium, copper and iron deposits to feed China's enormous battery and construction industries would help the IEA prop up their economy, and provide a much needed revenue stream.

"China will offer Afghanistan zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines," Zhao Xing, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, wrote on his official X account late on Thursday.

Afghanistan exported $64 million worth of goods to China last year, according to Chinese customs data, close to 90% of which was shelled pine nuts

A number of traders and investors from Bahrain and Russia in a meeting with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, political deputy prime minister, have expressed their interest in investing in various parts of Afghanistan, Arg said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement stated these traders are interested in investing in health sectors and other areas in addition to mining, aviation security and the training of its professionals.

Abdul Kabir also told the businessmen and investors of these two countries that after the Islamic Emirate’s takeover, more focus and a lot of efforts have been made on economic growth in the country.

Kabir assured them the IEA has provided the necessary facilities and conditions to all investors.

He added that now basic projects are being implemented in the sectors of oil and other mineral extraction, pharmaceuticals, construction of dams and roads.