Qatar in support of Trans-Afghan railway project: Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan announced that Qatar has expressed support for the Trans-Afghan Railway construction project.
The announcement was made following a meeting between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Tashkent.
“Particular attention is paid to promoting new joint investment projects, in particular in the fields of green energy, industry, agriculture, infrastructure development, the banking and financial sector, education, healthcare, and tourism,” said a statement by the Uzbek presidency.
It said that ways to further expand cooperation in the field of transport and logistics were considered during the meeting, adding that the Qatari side particularly expressed support for the Trans-Afghan Railway construction project.
Afghanistan Railway Authority says that the Trans-Afghan railway project is a regional project that needs international support. The first survey of the project was conducted following the establishment of the Islamic Emirate and the route of the railway was determined.
Sami Durrani, the spokesperson of Afghanistan Railway Administration, said that a one-year plan has also been prepared between the countries involved.
According to experts, the completion of this project will lead to the expansion of Afghanistan’s commercial and political relations with South Asia and Central Asia, and the project can be effective in improving the economic situation and creating job opportunities in the country.
In 2021, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to implement the Trans-Afghan railway project, but it was delayed due to financial issues.
On the other hand, officials in the Ministry of Energy and Water say that the 500 KV power transmission project from Dasht Alwan of Pul-i-Khumri to Arghandi of Kabul will be inaugurated in the near future. According to the officials, this project can import more electricity to Afghanistan from Turkmenistan and solve the problems of the people to some extent.