KABUL (SW) – Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, has said that Afghanistan is working to expand trade with neighboring countries via railways.
Haqshenas added that in the first seven months of this solar year, Afghanistan has traded 2.3 million metric tons of goods via rail. “Currently, we have direct trade with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran through the ports of Hairatan, Aqina, Torghundi, and Khaf-Herat. In the past seven months, we have traded 2.3 million metric tons of goods through these ports.”
According to Haqshenas, Afghanistan has also exported 82,000 metric tons of goods to other countries via rail during this period.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works added that a delegation from this ministry, which visited Iran discussed increasing trade through the Khaf-Herat railway line and strengthening railway cooperation with Iranian officials. “This delegation met with the head of Iran’s railway authority and other relevant institutions to discuss increasing transportation via the Khaf-Herat railway line and enhancing bilateral cooperation.”
Economic experts believe that expanding trade via rail lines could lead to economic growth and strengthen Afghanistan’s commercial ties with other countries.
Economic expert Zohur Modaber stated: “The more Afghanistan expands its rail network, the better it is for our economy. Afghanistan has the potential to have 3,400 kilometers of rail lines. Central Asian countries can also use Afghanistan’s rail system and pay transit fees, which would benefit us.”
The Khaf-Herat railway line has four phases; two of these phases, located in Iran, have been completed, but the construction of the other two phases in Afghanistan has not yet been finished, and work is still ongoing.
