KABUL, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The production of flour requirements in Afghanistan has increased, and the country produces nearly 60 percent of its flour requirements domestically, said a statement of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister on Economic Affairs on Monday.
Afghanistan needs around 6 million tons of flour annually, and of these, 3.5 million tons of flour are produced inside the country, the statement said.
A total of 200 flour-producing plants are operational in Afghanistan, which have provided job opportunities for 2,500 people directly.
In order to support the flour sector, the administration has reduced tariffs on wheat imports, banned wheat smuggling, and purchased surplus wheat from farmers at reasonable prices for storage in silos and warehouses, to be supplied to the market when needed, the statement added. ■
