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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Iran’s Roads Minister Akhundi joined Baligh, Afghanistan’s Public Works Minister and Hakimi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance at the ceremony to start construction of the 3rd segment of rail track connecting the two neighboring countries.
According to MEHR News Agency, the third segment of the rail corridor of Khaf-Herat linking Iran to Afghanistan via rail track got into construction in a ceremony attended by Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhundi, Mahmoud Baligh, Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Works, and Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance on Thursday at the border point of Chahsorkh in Herat Province of Afghanistan.
“This project enhances bilateral relations of Iran and Afghanistan,” said the Iranian Minister Akhundi at the ceremony, “and it links Afghanistan with Europe, China, and Central Asia via the transit corridors of Iran.”
Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance Hakimi said that the rail track would boost the volume of trade between Iran and Afghanistan.
Mahmoud Baligh, Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Works, reassured the attendants that the Afghan government will provide security for the staff constructing the rail track as the corridor bears a high significance for Afghanistan in improving trade with the open markets of the world.
The breakthrough comes after the first ever cargo train from China arrived in the main Hairtan port located in north of Afghanistan on Wednesday. This also boosts hopes among the Afghan officials to find access to alternative transit routes.
The train carrying loads of consignment arrived in Hairatan carrying a sign (Central Asian Trains).
“First ever Cargo Train from China arrived in Hairatan Port of Afghanistan today. Gawadar port of Pakistan won’t longer be our only option,” Javid Faisal, spokesman for Chief Executive Officer’s Office said.
Hairatan port is a small city located in the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries of Afghanistan.
