Afghanistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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New Freight Train Route Links China to Afghanistan via Central Asia

A freight train carrying communication equipment and other goods departed from Chongqing, China, on Monday and is expected to arrive in Afghanistan within 12 to 15 days, Xinhua has reported. This marks the launch of a new direct freight route between Chongqing and Afghanistan, passing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The train is transporting telecommunications equipment produced by Chinese tech company ZTE, which will be used to expand Afghanistan’s communication infrastructure. According to Liu Jianfeng, a representative from ZTE, the new rail route reduces transit time by three to five days compared to road transport, and lowers logistics costs by 15% to 20%. Xu Runqiu, an executive at Yuxin’ou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Company, emphasized that the route’s launch strengthens economic and trade ties between China and Central Asian countries. Chongqing has been positioning itself as a key inland logistics hub, with freight traffic to Central Asia and Europe expanding significantly in recent years. To date, the city has dispatched more than 18,000 freight trains across 50 routes, reaching over 100 cities in Asia and Europe.

Afghanistan E-Government Regional Relations Regional Security Digital Technologies

Central Asia Expands Trade and IT Cooperation with Afghanistan Amid Regional Growth Plans

The Central Asian countries continue to develop their trade relations with Afghanistan, a crucial factor in the region's economic growth and resilience against economic and political challenges. Afghanistan's key trade partners in Central Asia are Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. While Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan play a smaller role, they still contribute by exporting electricity and agricultural products to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is Uzbekistan's fifth largest export market. Over the past five years, trade turnover between the two countries has grown by nearly 1.5 times, reaching $866 million in 2023. Currently, 550 enterprises with Afghan investments operate in Uzbekistan, with 443 being fully Afghan-owned. Joint projects span industries such as food production, construction materials, agriculture, tourism, and textiles. Recently, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed business agreements worth $4.5 million between their private sectors. For Turkmenistan, the most significant project involving Afghanistan is the TAPI gas pipeline. President Berdimuhamedov recently directed the government to accelerate the development of the Galkynysh Gas Field and expedite the TAPI pipeline's construction. The state company Turkmengas has already completed a 214-kilometer section on Turkmenistan's territory, fully preparing it for operation. This project is a key component of the country's socioeconomic development and investment program for 2025. Additionally, Turkmenistan is poised to become a transport hub for international corridors passing through Kazakhstan, particularly the North-South and Middle corridors, as well as the Lapis Lazuli corridor, which connects Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. Although Kazakhstan does not share a border with Afghanistan like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, it remains an active trade partner. The Times of Central Asia has previously detailed trade relations between Astana and Kabul, highlighting Kazakhstan’s potential not only for expanding trade but also for entering Afghanistan’s IT market. The Afghan news portal AVA Press notes Kazakhstan’s role in regional stability and economic development. It also mentions Kazakhstan’s humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including earthquake relief in 2023 and food assistance in 2024. The article touches on Afghanistan’s IT sector challenges and Kazakhstan’s potential role in addressing them. Afghanistan lags in IT development and relies on imported technologies, but Kazakhstan, recognized for digital transformation, could be a valuable partner. Kazakhstan’s e-government model, including the eGov platform, serves as an example of how digital services can improve governance and infrastructure. Choosing Kazakhstan as an IT partner is seen as a strategic decision based on the country’s internationally recognized digital achievements, strong economic ties, and mutual trust.

military equipment USA Taliban Afghanistan

Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Relations Falter Over Return of Taliban Helicopters

Uzbekistan has returned some of the helicopters flown into its territory by Afghan pilots during the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan to the United States, Voice of America reported, citing Pentagon officials at an event at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington. Most of the American aircraft brought to Uzbekistan by Afghan pilots have now been returned. Recently, seven Black Hawk helicopters were sent back to the United States, according to Voice of America. Uzbekistan’s decision has drawn criticism from the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Defense, which claims the aircraft belong to Afghanistan and should be returned. “These helicopters were taken to Uzbekistan when officials from the previous administration fled. They are Afghan property and should not be transferred to the United States,” the ministry stated. It also called on neighboring countries to respect Afghanistan’s rights and urged the U.S. to return the aircraft instead of creating further obstacles. U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick confirmed that in 2021, Washington and Tashkent reached an agreement regarding the aircraft. He noted that some military equipment remains in Uzbekistan and that both countries have begun working on a joint program related to it. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, however, has rejected any such agreement, stating that the U.S. has no right to seize or transfer Afghan property. It urged Uzbekistan to return the aircraft in the spirit of good neighborly relations. According to Afghan media, prior to the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghanistan had 164 warplanes, but only 81 remain. Some Afghan pilots also flew aircraft to Tajikistan. Uzbekistan has made it clear that the helicopters are now under U.S. jurisdiction. The Taliban, however, continues to insist that they rightfully belong to Afghanistan and should be returned.

Afghanistan Economic Cooperation Bilateral Trade Coal

Uzbekistan to Import Afghan Coal in $4.5 Million Trade Deal

Uzbekistan has agreed to import coal from Afghanistan as part of efforts to balance bilateral trade, Tasnim News Agency reported. During a meeting in Kabul, an Uzbek delegation expressed its readiness to purchase Afghan coal, resulting in the signing of trade agreements worth $4.5 million between private companies from both countries. The discussions also covered trade privileges, plans to construct a cement plant in Afghanistan’s Samangan region, and the organization of joint exhibitions. In May 2024, Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister, Ilhom Mahkamov, led a delegation to Afghanistan, where he met with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. During the talks, both sides agreed that a technical team would visit Kabul to finalize the purchase of over one million tons of coal. Meanwhile, in July 2023, the Kyrgyz government raised the price of coal exported to Uzbekistan by 37%. According to the National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyzstan, from January to May 2024, Kyrgyzstan exported 302,000 tons of coal to Uzbekistan for $12.7 million—1,000 tons less than the same period in 2023, when 303,000 tons were sold for $9.2 million. Kyrgyz coal suppliers have not commented on the price increase. This week, business representatives from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed a $4.5 million trade agreement. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the deal, stating that it was signed by private sector representatives from both countries.

Investment Projects Economic Cooperation Bilateral Trade Trade Afghanistan

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Sign $4.5M Trade Deal as Economic Ties Grow

Business representatives from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have signed a $4.5 million trade agreement, Tasnim News reported on February 3. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the deal, stating that it was signed by private sector representatives from both countries. Afghanistan is Uzbekistan’s fifth-largest export market. Over the past five years, trade between the two countries has grown by nearly 1.5 times, reaching $866 million in 2023. Currently, 550 Afghan-invested enterprises operate in Uzbekistan, 443 of which are fully Afghan-owned. Joint projects are ongoing in food production, construction materials, agriculture, tourism, and textiles. Beyond trade agreements, both countries are discussing broader economic cooperation. In August 2024, an Uzbek delegation led by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov visited Afghanistan. During the meetings, both sides emphasized their goal of increasing trade turnover to $1 billion in 2024, with a long-term target of $3 billion. Officials stressed the need to tap into new economic opportunities on a mutually beneficial basis. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in October 2024, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Oil signed a 10-year contract with an Uzbek company for gas exploration and production in the Tuti Maidan gas field in Jawzjan province. The project is expected to bring in about $1 billion in investment to the region’s gas sector.

Afghanistan Gas Pipelines Export of Natural Gas Natural gas TAPI

Afghanistan Advances TAPI Gas Pipeline Construction as Kazakhstan Explores Participation

Afghanistan has made significant progress in constructing the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. According to Ariana News, citing the Herat provincial governor’s office, approximately six kilometers of pipeline have already been laid since work began last month. Herat Governor Maulana Islam Jar assured project representatives of his full support, stating that TAPI will play a crucial role in strengthening the economy and promoting regional stability. Afghanistan's section of the pipeline is expected to take approximately two years to complete and represents a significant milestone for the broader project. TAPI is designed to connect Central Asia’s vast gas reserves with the rapidly growing energy markets of South Asia. During a recent meeting, TAPI’s general director in Afghanistan, Abdullah Yoof, updated Governor Jar on construction progress and outlined further plans for the project, including job creation and infrastructure development in Herat province. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is actively exploring the possibility of joining the TAPI pipeline. The country’s Ministry of Energy has confirmed ongoing negotiations between the national gas company, QazaqGaz, and Turkmengaz, which owns an 85% stake in TAPI Pipeline Company Limited. However, officials have refrained from disclosing details, citing the confidentiality of the discussions. Kazakhstan’s interest in the project was first officially announced by Deputy Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhanov. Speaking at the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum in October 2024, he highlighted that participation in TAPI could provide Kazakhstan with access to new markets, including Pakistan and India while attracting additional investment to the country’s gas sector. The TAPI pipeline, spanning over 1,800 kilometers, will traverse: Turkmenistan – 214 kilometers Afghanistan – 774 kilometers Pakistan – 826 kilometers The pipeline will terminate in India, providing a crucial energy link between Central and South Asia.