Creation of a Railway Corridor and Logistics Center: New Project by Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan

 

During the First Transport Trade Export Forum held in Aktau, representatives from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan conducted trilateral talks. The discussions focused on the construction of a new railway line between Turgundi, Herat, Kandahar, and Spin Boldak, traversing through Afghanistan and potentially extending to the borders of Pakistan and India.

 

Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, clarified that the project involves the creation of a Western corridor linking several countries in the region. The Turkmen side has already started coordination with Afghan partners on organizing a logistics hub in Turgundi and plans to commence its construction soon. This center, aimed at handling grain and containers, is expected to significantly boost cargo turnover.

 

Afghan representatives expressed their willingness to support the transit of goods passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Pakistan, and emphasized their interest in increasing the import of Chinese goods along this route. They also noted that the development of this transport corridor is of strategic importance to all participating stakeholders.

 

Additionally, the forum featured a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and an Iranian delegation, where they discussed the details of joint development of transport and logistics infrastructure.