Kabul delegation in Turkmenistan to discuss railways

KABUL (TOLOnews): The head of the Afghanistan Railway Authority, Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, has traveled to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan at the head of a delegation, and plans to discuss cooperation in the railway sector, bilateral cooperation, and increasing transfit, with Turkmenistan officials.
Abdul Sami Durani, spokesman for for the authority on the trip, said the head of the railway administration is trying to increase trade with Central Asian countries through railways.
“During the trip, the increase of bilateral cooperation transfers and other issues will be discussed with the officials of Turkmenistan,” said Durani.
“The head of the railways is on a trip to Central Asia…. so we can develop our business via railway– they are having a conversation about this,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for Islamic Emirate.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment considers the provision of facilities in the railway sector in the country to be important in developing trade and increasing exports.
“Loading and unloading are easier for many people, and we are trying to extend this railway line inside Afghanistan, and the railway lines promised by the neighbors, such as Chaman- Spin Boldak and Chaman- Kandahar, should be started soon,” said Mohammad Yonis Mohmand, deputy of the Chamber.
Meanwhile, some businessmen said more investment in railway projects is needed to boost trade.
“The completion of the Turkmenistan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway project, if the project is completed, will help Afghanistan a lot in terms of trade and transit, and we will be freed from being dependent on one country,” said Khan Aqa Gulzar, a trader.
Earlier, the head of the railway department asked all the financial institutions and others to invest in the railway projects in Afghanistan.