INVESTIGATING AND RECOMMENDING THE FEASIBLE INDUSTRIAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR HERAT PROVINCE OF AFGHANISTAN

Abstract

As a preliminary research in Afghanistan, this study will be conducted in Herat Province of Afghanistan. Herat province is located in the western part of Afghanistan. Together with Badghis, Farah, and Ghor provinces, it makes up the northwestern region of Afghanistan. It has a population of 1,967,180 and 63097-km2 is the area of this province. Herat province shares border with Iran in the west and Turkmenistan in the north, making it a significant trading province. Herat province by having the biggest Industrial Town in the country is called economic pole of Afghanistan. The Industrial town of Herat as a manufacturing complex was established in 2003, which was the first Industrial town in Afghanistan after the Taliban occupy. The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the feasible industrial sustainable development strategies for Herat province of Afghanistan. The study used quantitative research method and data was collected on questionnaire which was formulated as a result of comprehensive literature review on the subject matter. A survey was conducted on a sample of 250 artisans of Herat Province. In this study nine industrial sustainable development strategies have been recommended which are as follow:  The growth of domestic industries and products and achieving of self-sufficiency through the adoption of supportive and encouraging policies of government for investors by maintaining sustainable development strategy.  Exporting of domestic goods and products to neighborhood and other countries through the creation of land and air transportation routes. (Exporting Promotion Strategy).  Creating job opportunities through encouraging and supporting of domestic and foreign investors in industrial field.  Promotion of Local Products and Handicrafts in Herat Province which has comparative advantages in Wider Markets through good marketing and introducing of the products.  Improvement of available industrial technologies to modern technologies in Handicrafts and Machine Industries by Maintaining Sustainable Development Strategy.  Reduction of products costs such as electricity and fuel for investors through the creation of internal energy sources and construction of dams without harming natural and environmental resources.  Supplying the raw materials of industrial factories through the proper use of domestic mines and their modern extraction by maintaining sustainable development strategies. xviii  Training of professional and specialized cadres and raising the capacity of entrepreneurs by creating educational, vocational and technical centers.  Creation of repairing workshops for making the factories’ equipment and construction of the storages and cold stores in accordance with the modern technology by maintaining sustainable development strategy. It is expected that this research study will support the policymakers within government, development agencies and the local community to create better policies for the industrial development purposes in Herat province of Afghanistan.