The third national construction industry exhibition opened in Kabul on Thursday, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors in what Taliban officials said was an effort to promote investment and modernise the sector.
The five-day event, titled the “International Exhibition of Construction, Engineering and Reconstruction of Afghanistan”, features around 400 booths and will run until Feb. 16, organizers said.
Exhibits include construction equipment such as surveying instruments, metal structures, rebar products, water tanks, PVC materials, moisture insulation, doors and windows, as well as sanitary and chemical building materials.
Taliban officials said the exhibition aimed to showcase modern construction technologies, strengthen market competition, expand business links and support the development of Afghanistan’s construction industry.
Some Iranian companies are also participating in the event, organizers said.
Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban’s minister of industry and commerce, said Afghanistan was moving towards industrialisation.
Taliban authorities said the exhibition would help create healthy competition in the market, facilitate the transfer of expertise and provide opportunities for direct engagement between domestic and foreign companies.
The event comes as business owners continue to complain about a lack of reliable electricity, as well as rising taxes and other operating costs, in an economy that remains under strain.
