Wednesday March 30, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Work is in progress for the construction of a big fruit market in Kandahar at the cost of $8m joint investment of the provincial municipality and national businessmen, an official said.
Talking to media, spokesman of Kandahar municipality Zamerai Sargand said, “75 percent of expenditure of the project will be paid by the local businessmen, while the remaining 25 percent would be secured from the Kandahar municipality budget.” The market contains 350 shops, 80 toilets and a special place for sale of fruits, vehicles parking and other essential facilities. According to Sargand, with the construction of this market, not only employment opportunities will be available for hundreds people but fruit trade would also develop. Sargand went on to say, “The Kandahar governor has launched several development projects in 15 urban districts of the city that with their completion, economic situation will improve and facilties will appear in people living conditions. Local horticulturists and fruit traders expressed pleasure on establishment of this market good marketing will be available for their products, said that through this and fruits and vegetable trade will be standardized.
This market is constructed in western part of the city and is available to all farmers and horticulturists of Kandahar. Traders will be able to send and even export fruits to other provinces and countries. Salam one of the fruit traders said, “The main problem ahead of fruits exports is packing, marketing and traditional trade. With the operation of this market all those above issues would be facilitated. He added, beside Kandahar, agriculture and horticulture would develop in Zabul, Helmand and Urzgan provinces and there will be a single address for sale of their products. Kandahar high quality and delicious fruits will be packed in standard from and exported to other countries. Foreign traders can also travel to Kandahar, purchase fruit. This market is established in Kandahar at time that Iranian authorities inform on proving exports-imports facilities for Afghan traders. Prior to this, another big fruit market was constructed along Kandahar-Spinboldak highway, east of the city in Shorandam village in an area of 50 jerib lands. Another big project was established in 1393 H.S by Mohamnad Group with an expenditure of US$15m and was completed late 1393.
Karima Malikzada
