Taliban on Saturday announced the extension of a cooperation agreement for an economic corridor involving Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, Taliban spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said the agreement, originally established in 2022, has been renewed for 2025 during a meeting in Uzbekistan.
The corridor, which links China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, connects to the Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif railway line in northern Afghanistan. The agreement aims to enhance rail transportation and trade along this critical route.
In a statement, the Taliban-led Ministry of Public Works emphasized the potential for increased rail activity. In 2024, 4,200 containers were transported along the corridor between Afghanistan and China, according to ministry data.
The extension agreement was signed during the visit of Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, deputy minister of railways, to Uzbekistan. Officials expect the renewed commitment to strengthen regional trade ties and improve Afghanistan’s connectivity with its neighbors.
The extension comes as Afghanistan’s economy continues to face severe challenges due to international sanctions imposed on the Taliban. The sanctions, targeting the Taliban’s leaders and financial institutions, have significantly strained the country’s business environment and hindered access to global markets.
