Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have finalized a significant deal to invest $500 million in the Herat-Torghundi railway's development, a key infrastructure initiative designed to enhance regional connectivity and trade.

The formalization of the agreement took place on Thursday at the Presidential Palace in Kabul during a high-level meeting between Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Murat Nurtluyev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister.

In the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing bilateral trade, transit collaboration, and economic alliances. Deputy PM Baradar referred to the strengthening relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan as optimistic and future-oriented, highlighting Afghanistan’s distinctive role as a possible transit route for Kazakh energy shipments to South Asia.

The Herat-Torghundi railway, upon completion, is anticipated to act as a crucial connection in the area’s transport system, aiding cargo transport and boosting commerce between Central and South Asia. Both governments consider the project a foundational element of sustained regional economic integration.

Along with the railway investment, officials talked about various joint venture possibilities in the areas of mining, transportation, energy generation, telecommunications, and overall infrastructure advancement.

To enhance economic relations, both parties examined new agreements related to the protection of agricultural products, international freight transport, and decreased transit fees. These measures aim to raise the bilateral trade volume to a lofty $3 billion in the years ahead.

Kazakh Deputy PM Murat Nurtluyev reiterated Kazakhstan’s ongoing support for Afghanistan in global forums and expressed his country's readiness to boost electricity exports to Afghanistan. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s desire to import Afghan agricultural goods, thereby generating additional market prospects for Afghan farmers and exporters.

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The accord is regarded as a crucial move for economic recovery and regional integration for Afghanistan, particularly in the current situation where the advancement of infrastructure is essential for internal security and economic independence.

The $500 million agreement for the Herat-Torghundi railway signifies increasing regional interest in collaborating with Afghanistan as a connection between Central Asia and South Asia, and further. Representatives from both parties praised the accord as a reflection of shared trust, economic aspirations, and strategic foresight.

The railway initiative, once completed, is anticipated to boost commerce, create employment opportunities, and provide a more effective pathway for the movement of products across the area, highlighting Afghanistan's growing significance in the wider Eurasian economic environment.