A Standard Zonal Laboratory Put into Operation in Herat

The Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, today, Sunday, August 9, 2026, during his visit to Herat Province, officially inaugurated and put into operation a standard laboratory for the quality assessment of food, medicines, and healthcare products at the zone level.
The respected Deputy PM for Administrative Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, and several honorable members of the Cabinet were also present at the handover ceremony.
The Deputy PM for Economic Affairs said that Afghanistan has taken the initial steps toward economic growth and that it is necessary to provide products and services in accordance with national and international standards and to properly adhere to the established standards governing the importation of products. He described the operation of standard laboratories as important in this regard, noting that they help ensure the quality and credibility of products and commodities.
Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund said that, from now on, the quality and credibility of food, medicines, and healthcare products imported into Afghanistan from neighboring and other countries will be assessed on the basis of this laboratory. This will help prevent the importation of low-quality, counterfeit, and substandard goods.
The Deputy PM said that, in addition to imported goods, the laboratory will also work to verify the quality of domestic products and contribute to the expansion of exports. This will enable Afghan products to compete with products from other countries in terms of quality and establish a credible position in international markets.
The Deputy PM strongly urged all traders not to import low-quality goods into the country, stating: “As I have repeatedly emphasized before, I once again urge you not to bring low-quality, substandard goods that are harmful to public health into the country for personal gain. If anyone imports such goods, they will undoubtedly be rejected, and under no circumstances will the importation of such products be permitted.”
Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund also called on domestic manufacturing companies and factories to pay full attention to the quality of their products.