Domestic products take center stage at Afghan exhibition

KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — A three-day exhibition showcasing Afghan-made goods opened in Ghazni province on September 18, bringing together dozens of local entrepreneurs seeking to expand their market reach and reduce reliance on imports.

The fair, titled Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi, was organized by the provincial Commerce and Industry Department with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), according to Pajhwok Afghan News. 

Around 60 stalls were set up, including 15 run by women-led businesses, featuring a wide range of products from food and textiles to handicrafts and household goods.

Organizers said the initiative aims to boost domestic industries, provide marketing opportunities, and highlight alternatives to foreign goods that dominate local markets. 

Abdul Mateen Qalandari, head of the Ghazni Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said it was the second such event in the province in the past two years, but stressed that challenges such as weak infrastructure, limited electricity, and inadequate industrial parks continue to hamper growth.

An IOM representative, Maiwand Kochi, told participants that supporting small and medium-sized businesses is central to the organization’s strategy of creating employment opportunities and reducing the need for migration through economic development.

Exhibitors welcomed the opportunity but called for further government measures, including higher tariffs on imports, to encourage consumption of Afghan-made products. “We have many local goods, but people often turn to foreign items because of lack of visibility,” said Mohibullah Khpalwak, a participant. “Events like this can change that.”

A similar exhibition titled Afghanistan’s Treasure was held in Ghazni last year, drawing more than 100 factories and manufacturers. Organizers said the latest edition reflects growing efforts to strengthen local industries despite the country’s economic challenges.