Kazakhstan to participate in construction of Turgundi-Herat railway in AfghanistanKazakhstan and Afghanistan have signed a protocol of intent, affirming Astana’s interest in participating in the construction of the Turgundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak railway, the press service of the Kazakh Prime Minister reported.The document was signed by representatives of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy and Ministry of Trade, as well as Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works. The agreement was reached during a visit by a Kazakh delegation led by Vice Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin to Afghanistan.“The continuation of these agreements will be the conclusion of a cooperation agreement in transport and logistics, which will outline the start of construction for the Turgundi-Herat railway section, necessary infrastructure, and a transport-logistics center in Herat,” the statement said.According to the government, the project holds particular significance for Kazakhstan in expanding regional transit connectivity, strengthening transport and logistics links between Central and South Asia, and securing access to Indian Ocean ports.The signed protocol includes plans to explore the possibility of establishing a joint venture between the railways of Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan under the jurisdiction of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC).Additionally, alongside the railway construction, the project envisions laying fiber-optic cables along the route.Zhumangarin also met with Afghanistan’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Transport, Hamidullah Akhundzada. As noted by the Prime Minister’s press service, the parties discussed prospects for launching direct flights between the two countries, supplying Kazakh-made vehicles and buses to Afghanistan’s market, and training Afghan students in technical fields at Kazakh universities.Earlier this week, it was reported that Kazakhstan is prepared to invest $500 million in the Afghan railway project, with plans to establish a logistics and transport company in Herat to advance the initiative. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX