A worker operates at a fertilizer plant in Herat Province, west Afghanistan, May 2, 2024. The first private fertilizer plant in Afghanistan opened on Thursday in the country's west Herat province, plant manager Abdullah Norzai said Friday. Photo: Xinhua

The first private fertilizer plant in Afghanistan opened on Thursday in the country's west Herat province, plant manager Abdullah Norzai said Friday.

Built at a cost of 550,000 U.S. dollars by the private sector, the plant produces 20 to 25 tonnes of fertilizer every day, the manager said, adding that 30 people have been employed so far and the number of employees will rise in the future as production increases.

A state-owned fertilizer plant has been running in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province over the past several decades.

The Afghan caretaker government has been encouraging local and foreign investors to invest in the country as part of efforts to create jobs and alleviate poverty in the war-ravaged country.

Workers operate at a fertilizer plant in Herat Province, west Afghanistan, May 2, 2024. The first private fertilizer plant in Afghanistan opened on Thursday in the country's west Herat province, plant manager Abdullah Norzai said Friday. Photo: Xinhua

 

Workers operate at a fertilizer plant in Herat Province, west Afghanistan, May 2, 2024. The first private fertilizer plant in Afghanistan opened on Thursday in the country's west Herat province, plant manager Abdullah Norzai said Friday. Photo: Xinhua