Goldsmith Lady

written by: Yama Rahi

Men do most of the works in Afghanistan and some of them believe that women could not work outside the home, but some women can do the same work as men do and they strengthen their family economy.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to Farzana Fazli, a resident of Kabul city.

Farzana says about his business, “I had the interest to learn the profession of the goldsmith. A goldsmith skill learning course was held in 2005 in Kabul city. I and 23 other ladies participated in that course. After graduation from the course, I participated in a short-term course for learning the skills of the goldsmith in Italy. When I came back to Afghanistan, I opened my shop in Kabul city about 15 years ago.

I offer new designs of earrings and rings to my customers using precious and semi-precious stones, gold and silver.

In the beginning, I offer a sample of my products and it was welcomed in the markets and I received many orders and it made me sure that the result of my work would be positive.

Some other women are also busy in work with me and we have Foreigners and domestic customers but foreigners are more interested in the products of Afghanistan.”

Paper Manufacture:

Some people produce goods that the price of the exported items is higher in the market.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to Nawed Hakimi, a resident of Kabul city.

Hakimi talks about his business, “As the price of the imported paper is higher due to transportation and customs and many other problems, I imported paper manufacturing machinery from abroad. With these machines, we process the papers and then we cut, pack, and market. We process the extra cut papers again and produce paper from them.

We produce the paper according to the orders of our customers.

Government offices, private and government printing presses, and city stationery shops are our customers.”