Monday, 12th July 2004 (4127 views)

The industry for bridal gold jewellery is thriving in Kabul.

The bridal industry is booming in the war-torn Afghan capital and the Pakistan Daily Times interviewed a selection of young brides preparing for their big day at the Humaira's Beauty Parlour.

Leila Khaiwar, 18, has invited around 1,000 people to her wedding. The gold earrings, necklaces and thick bangles she is wearing, a gift from her husband-to-be, have cost around $3,000.

In conservative Afghanistan, marriages are generally arranged by parents rather than lovers and are not always happy days for the brides, but this has not prevented scores of bridal shops, beauty parlours and reception centres springing up around Kabul, as the city emerges from Taliban rule.

According to the Asian Development Bank, Afghanistan's economy is expected to continue its surge and annual growth in gross domestic product of 15 per cent is predicted by 2008.

 

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