Afghanistan Begins Exporting Goods to Turkey via Herat-Khaf Railway Line

Afghanistan has started exporting goods to Turkey via the Herat-Khaf railway line, with one train running daily for a month before increasing to two trains per day, the Ministry of Interior reported on Sunday. The country exported 1,100 metric tons of talc to Mersin, a port city in southern Turkey, utilizing the 220km railway that connects Afghanistan's Rouzanak region in Herat to Iran's city of Khaf.

The Herat-Khaf railway, inaugurated in July 2023, functions as an essential pathway for Afghanistan's growing export initiatives. This railway project connects Iran and Afghanistan by rail and is part of a 2,000-kilometer route along the east-west rail corridor from China through Uzbekistan to Afghanistan, Iran, and on to Turkey and Europe.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the security of the Herat-Khaf railway line is provided by the guards of the National Public Protection Agency. The ministry stated that this railway line is critical for trade between Iran and Afghanistan and will allow six million tons of goods to be sent between the two countries.

Why this matters: The commencement of exports to Turkey via the Herat-Khaf railway line signifies a significant step in Afghanistan's efforts to expand its trade and economic ties with neighboring countries. This development has the potential to boost Afghanistan's economy and strengthen regional connectivity.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that the Herat-Khaf railway line will play a vital role in facilitating trade between Afghanistan and its neighbors. "This railway line is critical for trade between Iran and Afghanistan and will allow six million tons of goods to be sent between the two countries," a spokesperson for the ministry stated.

Key Takeaways

• Afghanistan starts exporting talc to Turkey via Herat-Khaf railway line.
• Herat-Khaf railway connects Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey, part of China-Europe corridor.
• Railway line can transport up to 6 million tons of goods between Iran and Afghanistan.
• Railway line is critical for trade and strengthens Afghanistan's regional connectivity.
• Exports to Turkey via railway signify Afghanistan's efforts to expand trade and economy.