Deputy spokesman of Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) said on Thursday the ministry is discussing the possibility of building a railway from Russia to Afghanistan and also trying to secure Russia’s technical support regarding such a project. 

MoPW officials said after the inauguration of the railway between Atamurad-Imamnazar and Aqina port, Russia showed an interest in a similar project. 

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) officials meanwhile said Russia and Afghanistan are big trade partners and that building a railway will increase trade between the two countries.

ACCI also said if such railways are built, transport and trade between Afghanistan, Russia, Central Asia and South Asia will increase.

“Our bilateral trade is very good with Russia and it is improving day-by-day. We export goods to Russia and they have considered special customs exemptions for Afghan traders. Currently 800 Afghan traders are busy in Russia,” said  Sayam Pesarlay, spokesman of the ACCI.

Economic analysts meanwhile have also said expanding business and trade ties with Russia would be positive and said building transportation links will turn the country into a transit crossroads.

“Building a railway will have good consequences for both Afghanistan and Russia. Afghanistan can import its needed goods from Russia in a shorter time and spend less money,” said Mohammad Mazari Sultanzada, another economic analyst.

According to ACCI officials, in the past two years, various transit and transport links were established. This has decreased the trade rate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.