Freight train from China arrives in Afghanistan

Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) says a freight train carrying goods from China arrived in Hairatan land port on Monday after crossing Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The freight train, with 22 wagons, was filled with vehicle parts, ARA officials said.

ARA head Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat says the Islamic Emirate is committed to expanding trade relations with all countries – near and far.

Sharaf said that connecting Afghanistan with other countries through a railway line can accelerate the country’s quest for self-sufficiency.

“Let’s think broadly, let’s think about the region, we assure you that the development of Afghanistan is the development of Uzbekistan,” he said.

Meanwhile, a representative of Uzbekistan has assured the traders of providing more facilities to address business activities.

“We are with Afghanistan to facilitate the transfer of commercial goods, and the work on the Trans-Afghan railway also continues,” said the representative.

Last year, an agreement for the transfer of commercial goods from China to Afghanistan was signed between officials of the IEA, China, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

According to officials, 42 containers of commercial goods have so far reached Afghanistan from China through this economic corridor.