President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan highlighted the significance of the Trans-Afghan railway project, specifically the "Termez - Mazar-i-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar" route, during an open dialogue with businessmen on August 18. The President underscored its potential as the most suitable and cost-effective route for Uzbekistan's trade aspirations.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that current transportation costs remain a pressing concern for businesses.
“Firstly, it would be correct to say that [the existing roads] are expensive, long and unsafe… If the Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-China railway had been built in 30 years, your conditions and cost would be completely different now,” he said.
The head of state highlighted the pivotal role of a railway passing through Afghanistan, describing it as the optimal, most economical, and safest pathway to reach South Asian markets. He envisioned a scenario where Uzbekistan's economy would gain tremendous stability if two significant railways—the proposed Trans-Afghan railway and the Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-China railway—were realized.
President Mirziyoyev emphasized the transformative potential of such railways, envisioning a scenario where Uzbekistan's economy would become less reliant on external factors and transit tariffs, thereby contributing to the nation's economic resilience.
The Trans-Afghan railway project, connecting Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan to Kabul and onward to Peshawar in Pakistan, has been a focal point of regional cooperation. In February 2021, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan signed a roadmap for its construction. Despite initial setbacks due to shifts in Afghanistan's political landscape, the project gained momentum with Afghanistan's interim government joining in December.
Expeditionary work to determine the route and feasibility study began in Afghanistan in July 2022. Estimated costs for the project vary, with the Uzbek institute "Boshtransloikha" estimating it at $4.6 bn and Pakistan at $8.2 bn. Media reports suggest a range of $4.8 bn to $6 bn. The project envisions a 573-km highway with a potential to transport up to 20 mn tons of cargo annually, forming a critical trade corridor connecting the European Union, Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asian nations.
Earlier Daryo mentioned that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev asserted that Uzbekistan's path to substantial economic advancement won't rely on oil and gas sales, unlike certain nations.
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