AVA- A new fresh fruit and vegetable market has opened in eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Tuesday.

The market, costing three million dollars, has 300 shops equipped with all facilities for preserving fresh fruit and vegetables. Around 20,000 people will get jobs on the market.

Izzat Khan, in charge of the market, said it had been constructed on 20 acres of land. Vegetables and fruit from eastern provinces will be brought to the market for sale.

An Afghan refugee, Haji Niaz Mohammad who heads the vegetable-sellers’ association in Pakistan, promised cooperating on quick transportation of fruit from the market.

Public representative Ajmal Omar called the market a standard project in the eastern zone. Earlier, Nangarhar had a small market where vegetables and fruits were brought from different parts of the province.

Allah Nazar, a shopkeeper, said he alone needed 20 workers. He hailed the market as a good step toward reducing unemployment and boosting trade in vegetables and fruits.