More than 93,000 metric tons of commodities have been traded via railways of Aqina, Torghondi and Hairatan, the Afghanistan Railway Authorities said.
“The transportation of around 93,649 metric tons has taken place. This includes exports and imports,” said Abdul Sami Durani, a spokesman for the Afghanistan Railway Authority.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said that a major part of the Afghan dry and fresh fruits is being exported via the railways.
“Our imports include oil, gas, wheat, flour and construction materials, and exports that are heading toward Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and China include dry fruit, rice, potatoes and minerals,” said Abdul Salam Javad, a spokesman for the MoCI.
This comes as the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said that the formation of railways with Pakistan and India can pave the ground for increasing Afghan exports abroad.
“Our trucks are currently facing challenges. If the railway up to Wagah port is formed and connected to Torkham port, exporting to Pakistan will become easy,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the ACCI. “If the railway is formed at other ports, it will bring facilities to the Afghan private sector,” said Zalmai Azimi, a trader.
Earlier, a corridor was established from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, which paved the way for the export of Afghan commodities to China and other international markets.—Tolonews
