The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan signed a protocol of intent on the project to build the Turgundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak railway. The document was drawn up during the visit of the Kazakh delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin to Afghanistan and will form the basis for a further agreement on cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors.
At the first stage, it is planned to begin construction of the Turgundi-Herat section with the development of related infrastructure and the creation of a transport and logistics center in Herat. The project is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan: it will strengthen ties between Central and South Asia, provide access to the ports of the Indian Ocean and become a key link in the new southern transit route. The possibility of creating a joint venture of the railways of Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan on the basis of the Astana International Financial Center is also being worked out.
In addition to the railway line, a fibre-optic cable will be laid along the route, which will allow the development of digital infrastructure, improve the safety of train traffic and provide settlements along the corridor with access to high-speed Internet.