AFGHANISTAN SHOE FACTORY

Shoe factory owners in Balkh call for ban import of similar goods to protect their businesses

epa10795592 Laborers work at a shoe factory in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, Afghanistan, 10 August 2023 (issued 11 August 2023). Factory owners producing sandals and shoes in Balkh are calling for a ban on the import of similar goods to protect their businesses from collapse. Boot and shoe manufacturing factories in the province have experienced a decline in prosperity and a significant reduction in employees. Factory owners highlighted that their businesses have decreased, attributing the decline to the import of similar goods from neighboring countries, which are sold at lower prices. This has made it difficult for domestic products, which are of better quality, to compete. Previously, Balkh exported boots and slippers to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, but now their export has stopped and the business is at risk. Employees expressed concerns about potential job losses if the government does not address the problems faced by these factories. The officials of Balkh Department of Industry and Trade have assured support for the factory owners and are working on promoting domestic products through exhibitions and evaluating the impact of imported goods. Currently, there are 18 boot and shoe manufacturing factories operating in Balkh province. EPA/STRINGER

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