Afghanistan has removed restrictions on rail transportation for Uzbek companies, the Ministry of Transport's press service reports.
The development stems from discussions held on December 26 between Ilkhom Makhkamov, the head of the Uzbek Ministry of Transport, and Hamidullah Akhundzada, the acting Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Afghanistan. Notably, Afghanistan has lifted constraints on Uzbek enterprises, allowing for transit and bilateral transportation through its territory.
In addition to the removal of restrictions, both parties have reached an agreement to establish fees and payments for international road transport on an equitable basis, effective from the year 2024. Uzbekistan has expressed its commitment to expedite the implementation of the trilateral Trans-Afghan Railway project, aiming to provide preferential tariff rates for rail transportation.
The effort to enhance southern goods export routes has been a priority for Uzbekistan in recent years. In November 2021, Uzbekistan marked a milestone with the arrival of its first transit cargo in Pakistan, where entry procedures for Uzbek drivers were streamlined. Subsequently, Pakistan commenced meat exports to Uzbekistan in March 2022, and India initiated transit cargo shipments to Uzbekistan through Pakistani and Afghan territories for the first time. This dynamic collaboration led to the initiation of deliveries of Uzbek goods in the opposite direction in May.
To support these developments, an International Trade Center is under construction in Termez. The center's first stage commenced operations at the end of the preceding year. Furthermore, the three countries are jointly involved in the Trans-Afghan Railway project, designed to significantly reduce time and costs associated with cargo transportation. The highway is anticipated to become operational in 2027, reflecting the collaborative efforts aimed at bolstering regional trade connectivity.
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