Enhanced Afghan-Turkmen trade via railroad discussed

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan and Turkmen officials have conferred on enhancing the transportation of trade goods via the Torghandi railroad.

The Afghanistan Railway Authority (ARA) head for Herat province and Turkmenistan’s deputy minister of railways met to explore this possibility.

In addition to greater rail shipments, the provision of more facilities on the Torghandi track and increased daily train time also came up for discussion.

The authority tweeted: “Herat ARA head Mufti Mohammad Nasm Mohammadi met Turkmenistan’s deputy minister of railways and the team accompanying him.”

The meeting, which was also attended by local administration officials, took place at the Torghandi port of the province.

Both sides exchanged views on increased rail transportation of goods, provision of more facilities, longer daily train time, safe commodity transfers and better port management.

Afghan and Turkmen officials stressed the need for promoting bilateral cooperation, agreed to meet in the near future to make necessary decisions and sign agreements.

Two days ago, 75 trucks of food materials weighing 5,033 tonnes were imported and 50 tonnes of oranges exported via Torghandi port.

Days before talks on increased exports and imports via Torghandi, Afghanistan Uzbekistan signed a new contract on a 10 percent discount on transportation through the Hairatan railway line.

Earlier in the month, the rail link between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan remained shut for almost 12 days due to some problems. However, it was reopened following four days of bilateral negotiations.

Currently, 100 to 150 truckloads of goods are exported and imported between the two countries on a daily basis.

ja/mud