INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov says the volume of goods from Russia that will be transported via the planned Trans
Afghan Railway Line will total between eight and 15 million tons annually.
Speaking at an expo in Uzbekistan, Manturov stated that goods
will include chemical fertilizers, oil and gas, ferrous metals and coal.
“Russia and Uzbekistan signed an agreement in April this year to
exchange information for the development of feasibility studies
It is expected that calculations for the projected transport volume, as well as assessments of the economic benefits of future routes, will
be completed next year.
“The bulk of the cargo will likely include chemical fertilizers, petroleum products, ferrous metals, hard coal,
and similar goods,” said Manturov.
He added that transportation authorities from both Russia and Uzbekistan are working on the railway
project.
Currently feasibility studies are being conducted for western routes through Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Delaram, and Kandahar, and
eastern routes through Termez, Naibabad, Logar, and Khairlachi.
The planned railway line, once completed, will connect the European Union,
Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asian countries.
Abdul Hadi Farhang, an economic expert, said: “The Trans
Afghan project will not only help reduce the cost of goods in Afghanistan but also play a key role in trade and the country’s economic
growth.”
Meanwhile, Russian investors have expressed interest in establishing a $500 million oil refinery in Balkh province.
The goal of
this initiative is to create jobs, expand economic opportunities for the Afghan people, and strengthen economic ties between the two
countries.
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