Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have discussed the Trans-Afghan railway project, agreeing to establish a joint venture to advance the initiative, according to the Trend News Agency.
Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev plan to create a joint venture between their countries’ railway authorities to develop the route.
The joint venture is expected to participate in the development of the Trans-Afghan route, aiming to enhance economic growth in Afghanistan by facilitating low-cost goods transportation.
The leaders also discussed ensuring stability and security in the Central Asian region during their meeting.
Economists believe the project, proposed by Uzbekistan in December 2018, will boost Afghanistan’s economy. It aims to extend Afghanistan’s rail network from Mazar-e-Sharif to Kabul and then to Nangarhar province. From there, the railway will cross Torkham and enter Pakistan at Peshawar.
In Pakistan, goods will be transferred to the Pakistan rail system and shipped to the seaports of Karachi, Gwadar, and Qasim, the agency reported.
