Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Kazakhstan announced its commitment to invest in Afghanistan’s Turghundi-Herat railway project, aiming to enhance regional transport and economic integration, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov revealed at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit held on July 4 in Khankendi, Azerbaijan.
The annual ECO Summit, which convened heads of state and government from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan, focused on expanding cooperation in transport and logistics, energy, climate security, and digital transformation. Representatives from prominent international bodies, including the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), the United Nations (UN), and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), also participated.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Bektenov met with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar to explore opportunities for collaboration in trade, logistics, and agriculture. Bektenov highlighted Afghanistan’s strategic role as a bridge linking Central and South Asia, emphasizing the transformative potential of the Trans-Afghan railway.
“Afghanistan is a bridge between Central and South Asia. The construction of the Trans-Afghan railway will contribute to the development of the entire region. The Government of Kazakhstan confirms its intention to implement this project, and a corresponding memorandum will be signed between the parties in the near future,” Bektenov said.
The Turghundi-Herat railway is expected to facilitate smoother trade flows, reduce transportation costs, and foster greater economic integration across the region, strengthening ties among ECO member states and beyond. Kazakhstan’s investment signals growing confidence in Afghanistan’s infrastructure potential despite ongoing challenges, reflecting a broader push toward regional connectivity and cooperation.
As the project advances, it could open new corridors for commerce linking Central Asia with South Asia and the Middle East, contributing to economic growth and stability in the region.
