Safe, well-built markets are essential to business growth and needed places in each community where people buy food and clothing for their families. With financial support from USAID and local shopkeepers, 10 new market stalls were recently installed at Almar Market in Almar district, Faryab province. The new market stalls allow the people of Almar to buy grocery items locally; previously residents had to travel long distances to the provincial capital of Maimana for these items. The construction of the new shops created 20 permanent jobs and a number of temporary construction jobs.
Additionally, a USAID grant facilitated the construction of new stalls at the Dara-e-Noor Bazaar in the eastern province of Nangarhar. In addition to creating 10 small businesses and providing permanent job opportunities for at least 20 people, the market gives residents of Dara-e-Noor improved access to purchasing daily necessities.