Trans-Afghan railway construction will commence soon – Laziz Kudratov

Laziz Kudratov, the Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, announced that practical work on the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway will begin soon. He made this announcement during the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Business Forum held in Kabul on August 17, 2024.

A government delegation led by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov visited Afghanistan, and during the forum, Minister Kudratov discussed various areas of cooperation between the two nations.

According to Minister Kudratov, significant plans have been established to further increase bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, with the goal of raising it to 3 billion USD in the near future. In this context, a preferential trade agreement between the two countries will come into effect on October 1, 2024. Under this agreement, import duties on a range of products, including agricultural goods, carpets, and marble from Afghanistan, will be eliminated, thereby facilitating export activities.

Furthermore, Minister Kudratov highlighted that the customs system at the Ayritom-Hayraton border post between the two countries has transitioned to a 24-hour operational regime. This change will enable round-the-clock vehicle movement between the nations, doubling the opportunities available to businesspersons from both countries and enhancing bilateral trade volumes.

"To provide greater convenience to our Afghan brothers, we are working towards the full operationalization of the Termez International Trade Center in southern Uzbekistan in the coming days. A 15-day visa-free regime has been introduced for visitors to the center, and Afghan entrepreneurs will be exempt from all taxes. Today, we signed a document formalizing the use of the center," stated Kudratov.

Additionally, the minister confirmed that preparations are underway to initiate the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway line.

"This railway will offer significant opportunities for our entrepreneurs and foster a favorable environment for mutual trade. Practical work on this project will commence shortly," Kudratov remarked.

According to Uzbekistan's estimates, the 760-kilometer railway through Afghanistan will reduce delivery times to Pakistan by approximately five days and cut transportation costs by at least 40%. The project, valued at up to 6 billion USD, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. By 2030, it is projected that up to 15 million tons of goods per year will be transported along the Trans-Afghan railway. The new railway route will connect the European Union, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan with Pakistani ports on the Arabian Sea, facilitating the export of goods to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

It is worth noting that previous reports indicated that Uzbekistan-Afghanistan trade turnover could reach 3 billion USD in the coming years.