A semi-precious trading center has been inaugurated at the regional level in the eastern zone, in Nangarhar province.

Several gemstone traders are pleased with the establishment of this center, saying that it will improve their operations. 

They called on the caretaker government to facilitate marketing abroad and to provide the necessary facilities.

"This warehouse now provides the means to bring the minerals from the mines here, where we store them, and the merchants come. We are not in a hurry to sell them quickly but rather sell them with respect and value, so when we reach an agreement, we then release our stones,” said Caiptan, a gemstone Trader.

"We used to face many difficulties; foreigners would visit our mine, and there was the danger of theft and death. We worked with great difficulty ... Now that this warehouse has been officially established, we are happy about it. The stones that foreigners take should be exported by us ourselves,” said Parviz, a hemstone trader.

"People used to mine on their own so there was no information. This place was selected by the Ministry of Mines. Inshaullah, all goods will come here, and no one else will be able to buy directly from the mines. Both Afghans and foreigners will come here to make purchases,” said Mohammad Younus, In charge of the Gemstone Trading Center.

Officials in the Nangarhar Directorate of Mines and Petroleum say that with this center becoming operational, the sale of gemstones in the black market will be curtailed, and the government's revenue will also increase.

"Previously, buyers would come from outside and go to the mountains to see these goods. This is a convenience for them, there will be no security issues. It will also be convenient for people not to go to the mountains; all materials will be found in one place in the city. Standard mining is our goal, so this type of market is also one of our important objectives,” said Hidayatullah Abu Turab, Head of Mines and Petroleum in Nangarhar.

According to information from the Nangarhar Directorate of Mines and Petroleum, work is currently underway in 24 semi-precious stone mines, and about 30,000 people are employed in these mines.