The first ever freight train from China arrived in Hairatan port in northern Balkh province this week after travelling 3,000 kms across China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Onboard was 45 containers full of goods, according to officials from the ministry of public works.
The ministry said trade between China and Afghanistan was critical and that the new rail link would expand trade between the two countries considerably.
Meanwhile, the ministry of commerce and industries said that transporting commodities via train will increase the import and export ties between the two countries.
This was the first time that a rail line has linked Afghanistan with China.
“This is good news for Afghan traders and it indicates that we do not have transportation problems with China anymore,” said Abdul Hadi Rafie, the deputy of ministry of public works.
“Transportation of goods through a railway is much cheaper than road or air transportation. Thus, business commodities will arrive in Afghanistan sooner and cost less to get here,” said Musafer Qoqandi, spokesman for the ministry of commerce and industries.
Meanwhile, Yao Jing, the ambassador of China to Afghanistan, said the railway line will play a vital role in transport and trade between the nations.
“This is a vital project which will expand the business between the two neighboring countries,” Yao said.
Furthermore, officials from the chamber of commerce and industries said the transportation of commodities by rail will solve logistical problems that existed in the country for many years.
In addition, economic analysts believes that the railway link will increase the rate of import and export between the countries and that goods will be traded at a cheaper rate.http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/27161-freight-train-arrives-from-china-link-set-to-boost-trade
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