BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 28. The opening of the Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor will enhance the transit status of Central Asian countries and also significantly strengthen their mutual relations, the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov told Trend in an exclusive interview.
"Central Asian countries lack direct access to maritime transport, which cuts them off from the most economically viable transportation routes, making the development of the region's transport infrastructure one of the key tasks," he said.
According to the minister, access to Pakistani ports via Afghanistan represents the shortest route to the sea for Uzbekistan, and through the Indian Ocean, Uzbekistan will be able to establish trade relations with countries in South Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
Meanwhile, as he explained, Pakistan is also interested in this direction, as it would allow it to access the Central Asian market, improving political and social relations.
Makhkamov pointed out that Central Asian countries possess significant reserves of natural resources and actively export them, and in this context, the Trans-Afghan railway will be an important tool that will enable the countries in the region to effectively integrate into the global economy.
"Overall, the Trans-Afghan Corridor provides an opportunity to connect the railway infrastructure of Central and Southeast Asia, opening new pathways for the exchange of both material and cultural values," he added.
To note, the Trans-Afghan railroad project will help to connect three countries: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The railroad will play an important role in the creation of the Eurasian Transport Network. As a result, Central Asian countries will have access to an Indian Ocean port.
The railroad will reduce the delivery time of goods from 35 to five days, and the cost of goods delivery will be reduced by at least 40 percent. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.