To transform war-torn Afghanistan into a logistics center for regional exports, including Russian oil to South Asia, the Taliban has inked an agreement with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to construct a pivotal logistics hub in western Afghanistan, Reuters reported.
Acting commerce minister of the Taliban-led government, Nooruddin Azizi, disclosed the plans following a meeting in the Afghan capital involving representatives from all three nations. As per Azizi, technical teams will finalize a written agreement within two months, with all three countries committing to invest in the project after six months of deliberations.
The move comes at a critical juncture for Afghanistan, as foreign aid dwindles and the nation grapples with economic challenges exacerbated by persistent drought. With Afghanistan's strategic location straddling South and Central Asia, the initiative aims to leverage its historical position as a crossroads for trade along the ancient Silk Road.
"The three countries have done their best to prove Afghanistan's claim as a connectivity point," Azizi affirmed, highlighting plans for the new hub in Herat province to serve as a conduit for Russian oil destined for South Asian markets, particularly Pakistan.
Kazakhstan's trade ministry echoed the sentiment, expressing aspirations to establish road and rail networks through Afghanistan to facilitate trade with South Asia and the Gulf. The envisioned hub is slated to play a crucial role in consolidating truck shipments, enhancing multi-modal services, and streamlining transportation along the North-South corridor to key sea ports in the region.
While Turkmenistan's government has yet to officially comment on the development, the Russian government remained silent during a national holiday.
Pakistan, a vital trading partner for Afghanistan, has remained non-committal thus far. Despite being a signatory to regional energy connectivity agreements, Islamabad's relations with the Taliban have soured in recent years amid allegations of Afghanistan harboring anti-Pakistan militants—an accusation Kabul vehemently denies.
However, Pakistan's recent engagement with Russia as a crude oil customer, coupled with Afghanistan's existing trade ties with Moscow, underscores the potential for collaboration in the proposed energy trade hub.
Azizi also revealed ongoing discussions with Chinese authorities regarding the construction of a trade route through the remote Wakhan corridor, aiming to bolster trade between China and Iran via Afghanistan.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)