The shortage of locally mined marble has brought a number of processing factories to a standstill, one factory owner, Ali Erfan, claims. 

He said there is a lack of raw marble which is proving to be a huge challenge for him. 

Erfan, who owns Natural Company, said he invested at least $10 million USD in two marble processing firms in Kabul and said he is running at a loss. 

He said the equipment he has was imported from Italy.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum meanwhile admits marble factories are facing problems – especially as no contracts have been issued to mining companies. 

In this episode of Bazar host Nargis Mosavi discusses the topic with Basir Ahmad Waziri, managing director of the Afghan stone industry association.