Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan work out goods transit agreement
Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan intend to conclude a trilateral agreement on the transit of goods in order to increase transport cooperation. A similar arrangement could also link Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. The statement came during the Kazakh-Afghan trade and economic conference in Astana, which discussed the technical aspects of regional logistics connectivity, reports Kazakhstani business channel AbcTV. “The solution of transit issues through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan can provide additional potential for the supply of Kazakh products to Afghanistan,” - Deputy Minister for investment and development of Kazakhstan Arystan Kabikenov said at the forum, adding that the trilateral agreements between these countries are a priority for Kazakhstan. According to the official, the process of developing agreements is currently being actively held at the level of governments and railway administrations. The idea of improving transport cooperation between the countries of Central Asia in terms of logistics was also supported by the head of the Afghan delegation, Minister of industry and trade of Afghanistan Humayoon Rasaw. Last month, the Kazakh media reported on the launch of a new route for the transportation of flour and grain products from Kazakhstan's Kostanay through Turkmenistan to Afghanistan. As noted, the scheme of shipment of flour and grain to Afghanistan through the Turkmen railway lines, which provides for accelerated turnover of the rolling stock, is quite beneficial to Kazakhstan agricultural producers and exporting companies. Recently, Turkmenistan’s transport ministries and departments established Joint-stock company "Transport and logistics center". The main task of this company will be harnessing the potential of international transport and transit corridors, raising the competitiveness of the transport complex and increasing the volume of transit cargo.
