Local officials in Herat state that the Herat-Khaf railway plays a key role in facilitating exports and imports between Afghanistan and regional countries.
In recent months, trade between Afghanistan and some neighboring and regional countries via this railway has increased, the officials said.
Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi, the spokesperson for the governor of Herat, said: “A commercial shipment has arrived at Rozanak station via the Herat-Khaf railway. This shipment consisted of 26 wagons, 20 of which contained sugar from the United Arab Emirates, while the remaining 6 carried cement and reached Rozanak station in Herat province.”
The transportation of goods via the Herat-Khaf railway between Afghanistan, Iran, and some regional countries has played a significant role in boosting trade within Afghanistan.
According to the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the flow of exports and imports via this railway has increased in recent months.
Mohammad Yousuf Amin, the executive director of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Transfers via the Herat-Khaf railway have seen good growth. As far as we have observed, shipments of construction materials and transit goods from the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, and India have arrived in Afghanistan. This railway accelerates transportation since road transport alone cannot address the challenges faced by our traders.”
Economic experts believe that the Herat-Khaf railway has connected Afghanistan to major global markets.
Gulabuddin Miri, an economic analyst, stated: “The Herat-Khaf railway contributes to the development of economic infrastructure and increases investment. It is also highly beneficial in facilitating exports and imports and reducing transportation costs. Strategically, it holds great importance as it connects Afghanistan to global markets.”
The Herat-Khaf railway links Afghanistan to Turkey and European markets via Iran. The final phases of construction on this railway, which extends to the Herat industrial park, are still underway.
