أفغانستان تربط آسيا بأوروبا عبر مشروع سكك حديد إقليمي | economy

Kabul – After years of economic isolation and logistical challenges that hindered trade and growth, Afghanistan has begun strategic steps to strengthen its economic position as a link between Asia and Europe, especially as it is located in the heart of Central Asia, with borders with vital countries such as Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, making it a natural gateway to regional and international trade corridors.

In this context, Afghanistan launched a railway project in cooperation with Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan, with the aim of creating an integrated transport network linking Afghan cities with regional ports, opening new horizons for exports and imports, and also contributing to attracting foreign investments and promoting local economic development.

The project includes transporting goods, enhancing regional integration among the participating countries, and facilitating the movement of products between Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East, making Afghanistan a pivotal logistical center in the heart of the continent.

وتظهر المؤشرات الرسمية أن المشروع تجاوز مرحلة التخطيط؛ An official memorandum of understanding was signed in Istanbul, and several tripartite meetings were held to determine the railway route, associated ports, and implementation mechanisms.

Mawlawi Muhammad Ishaq Sahibzadeh, Deputy Minister of Public Works for Railway Affairs, also participated in the 36th session of the International Railway Authority in Turkey, in addition to tripartite meetings with Iran and Turkey to coordinate the project and determine the best ways to expand the railway lines, including Herat/Mazar-Sharif and the Khawaf/Herat line, and to benefit from the financial, technical and human resources of the three countries.

The importance of the railway project

The spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works, Muhammad Ashraf Haq Shinas, said in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that “the triangular railway project is a strategic step to enhance regional cooperation and develop transportation infrastructure.”

He added: The project will improve trade movement between the four countries and facilitate the access of Afghan products to global markets through Turkish ports.

Haq Shinas pointed out that the project will enhance Afghanistan’s ability to be an important logistics center in the heart of Asia, which will contribute to attracting investments and stimulating economic growth, explaining that the government is working to facilitate the necessary procedures to implement the project, including technical and financial support and continuous coordination between the relevant authorities in the participating countries.

Railway track

• Khawaf/Herat Line (Iran/Afghanistan): It connects the Iranian city of Khawaf to the Afghan city of Herat, with a total length of 130 km, including 60 km inside Afghanistan. It is considered part of the Iranian railway network extending to Turkey and Europe via Iranian ports.
• Afghanistan/Turkmenistan Lines: The connection is through the Turgundi and Aqinah crossings to facilitate the movement of transport and goods between the two countries.
• Afghanistan/Uzbekistan Lines: Connection through the port of Hirtan, allowing the exchange of goods between the two countries and facilitating regional transportation.

This network makes Afghanistan a pivotal hub for trade transit between Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East, while facilitating the movement of goods and reducing reliance on traditional routes.

The project will lead to:

Professor of the Faculty of Economics at Kardan University, Mir Shakib Mir, said in an interview with Al Jazeera Net: “Railway development is not just an infrastructure project, but an opportunity to enhance economic integration with neighboring countries and link markets to the Middle East and Europe. It will enable the country to export its agricultural and industrial products quickly and safely, and reduce dependence on traditional methods that often face logistical and security obstacles.”

Shakib added: “The project will contribute to increasing the volume of trade, attracting foreign investments, and creating direct job opportunities in the construction, transportation, and logistics sectors, in addition to indirect jobs in markets, ports, and industrial areas connected to the new network.”

For his part, economic analyst Abdul Dhahur Mudabir told Al Jazeera Net, “Afghanistan can turn into a regional commercial transit center linking Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. An advanced railway network will encourage local and international investors to participate in infrastructure projects and logistics services, and will enhance the ability of small and medium-sized companies to export their products faster and at a lower cost.”

He pointed out that the project will stimulate associated sectors such as storage, insurance, financial and customs services, which will strengthen the national economy in a sustainable manner, while emphasizing the importance of continuous coordination between the three countries to ensure the success of the project.

Regional and international context

According to observers:

• This project reflects the desire of neighboring countries to enhance economic connectivity and facilitate the movement of goods through safe corridors.
• It represents an opportunity for Iran, Turkey and Turkmenistan to expand trade and economic influence in Afghanistan.
• .

International dimensions

And this project:

• It remains supported by the International Union of Railways, which adds a global legal and technical dimension.
• It represents an opportunity for donor countries and investors to support infrastructure and achieve sustainable economic stability.
• It is expected to contribute to transforming Afghanistan into a regional commercial transit hub, facilitating the movement of goods, and attracting local and international investments.
• A link between Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Challenges and opportunities

• Find full financing for it.

The opportunities include:

• Facilitating the movement of goods.

Future prospects

Afghan observers expect that the success of the project will contribute to the integration of Afghanistan into regional and international transport networks, and put it on the path to becoming a strategic land corridor linking Asia to Europe. Experts hope that the project will open a new chapter of economic development and enhance Afghanistan’s regional integration after long years of isolation.