BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 16. Officials from
Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Iran have
discussed the development of the Trans-Afghan transport corridor
and the implementation of the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA)
railway project during the international NEW SILK WAY business
forum in Astana, according to the Ministry of Transport of
Kazakhstan.
The meeting was attended by Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport
Nurlan Sauranbaev, Director General of the Afghanistan Railway
Authority Abdul Karim Fateh, Director of the Center for Transport
and Logistics Studies at Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport Bekzod
Kholmatov, Federal Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of
Communications Ali Sher Mehsud, and Iran's Minister of Roads and
Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh.
The discussions focused on the CASA railway project, which aims
to improve transport connectivity between Central, South and West
Asia, expand freight routes and provide additional access to
international markets and seaports.
Participants reviewed the project's current status and practical
aspects of its implementation, including route coordination,
infrastructure development and the formation of a cargo base.
They also discussed financing mechanisms, attracting potential
investors and international financial institutions, and
strengthening coordination among Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Today, we confirmed our shared interest in further developing
the Trans-Afghan transport corridor and implementing the CASA
railway project. It is important for us to move from discussions to
practical action. The implementation of this project will create an
additional transport link between our regions, increase transit
potential, expand freight transportation opportunities, and
strengthen trade and economic ties among the countries concerned,"
Sauranbaev said.
Following the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their
interest in continuing joint work on the project and developing
practical steps to advance its implementation.
