TASHKENT: President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has termed the Trans-Afghan railway as “the optimal way” for Uzbekistan, local media reported on Friday.
He expressed these remarks during in an open dialog with entrepreneurs and businessmen. He noted that one of the key problems for businesses is the cost of transportation.
Uzbek President Praises Trans-Afghan Railway
The significance of the railroad passing via Afghanistan as the best, most economical, and safest route to South Asia was underlined by the Uzbek President. He hoped that Uzbekistan would be able to achieve economic sustainability with two such railroads in the future.
The Trans-Afghanistan Railway project was announced in 2018, but its implementation has been delayed due to changes in Afghanistan. With the start of work on the mega project in 2022, this infrastructure will open new routes for trade and decrease the time of cargo delivery between Pakistan and Uzbekistan from 35 days to 3 and 5 days.
Uzbek President said that the construction of the Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-China railroad would have allowed entrepreneurs to decrease costs and enhance working conditions. He expressed the need to develop conditions for entrepreneurs and businesses in the logistics and export spheres.
