A commercial rail shipment from France has arrived in western Afghanistan, Taliban said on Thursday, marking what they called a step toward strengthening trade connectivity between Afghanistan and Europe.
According to a statement from the media office of the Taliban governor of Herat province, the shipment — consisting of eight wagons of powdered milk — traveled from France and entered Afghanistan through the Herat-Khaf railway line, which connects western Afghanistan with northeastern Iran.
Taliban hailed the arrival as a symbolic and logistical milestone. “This development is considered an important step in linking Afghanistan with Europe,” the statement read, adding that increased use of the Khaf-Herat rail corridor could enhance regional trade and ease the transit of goods between Afghanistan, its neighbors and the wider international market.
They also claimed that the railway “reinforces Afghanistan’s role as a key land bridge between Asia and Europe,” a phrase repeated often in Taliban economic messaging.
Despite the announcement, Afghan traders have continued to voice concerns about challenges in the country’s commercial infrastructure. Issues such as a lack of refrigerated transport, high taxes and customs tariffs remain major obstacles for exporters, particularly in the western region where the rail line operates.
