The proposed Central Asia-South Asia railway would pass through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan before reaching Pakistan.
A migrant woman from Afghanistan sits at the Macedonian-Serbian border near the village of Tabanovce, Macedonia February 24, 2016.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop a new railway corridor linking Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, potentially giving Central Asian countries access to Pakistan’s seaports on the Arabian Sea.
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The information was shared with The Media Line by the office of Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
Afghan media outlets Ariana News and Pajhwok Afghan News have also reported the development, while Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the signing of the memorandum.
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The proposed Central Asia-South Asia railway would pass through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan before reaching Pakistan.
According to Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the transport ministries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure signed the memorandum to expand cooperation in international transport, trade, logistics and investment.
Under the agreement, the three countries will conduct technical and economic studies, analytical assessments and feasibility work on the required railway infrastructure and related facilities. They are also considering establishing a joint effort to examine the project’s technical, economic, and financial aspects.
Afghanistan could serve as a land route between Central and South Asia
The main objective is to strengthen transport links between Central and South Asia, expand trade and create new investment opportunities. The railway could offer Central Asian countries an alternative route for imports and exports through Pakistan’s seaports.
Since the corridor would pass through Afghanistan, its completion could provide the country with an opportunity to play a greater role in regional trade and cargo transit.
Afghanistan could serve as a land route for transporting goods from Central Asia to South Asia and connecting regional markets through Pakistan’s ports.
Afghan economic analyst Jannat Fahim Chakari stated that the project could create opportunities for Afghanistan to earn transit revenues and benefit from other economic activities.
However, he said such benefits would depend on effective implementation of the agreements and detailed assessment of the project.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, said the railway could strengthen Afghanistan’s transit role and make it an important link between Central and South Asia.
Beyond transit fees, the corridor could generate activity in freight transport, warehousing, customs, logistics and other businesses. However, these benefits would depend on construction, border arrangements, trade policies and efficient transportation systems.
Project to face myriad of challenges
Experts say the project will face challenges including financing, construction costs, cross-border connectivity, administrative coordination, security concerns, customs procedures and border facilities, particularly amid the deteriorating and strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The memorandum remains an initial step toward assessing the project’s technical and economic feasibility. Its future will depend on the findings of the studies and subsequent decisions by the countries involved.
Pakistan has expressed support for the railway project, with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal recently calling for an accelerated feasibility study and a joint mechanism with Uzbekistan to seek international financing.
However, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi has said that instability in Afghanistan has effectively stalled Islamabad’s regional transport connectivity projects, highlighting the security and political challenges facing the proposed route.
Reference Link:- https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-910630