The acting minister of transport and civil aviation, Hamidullah Akhundzada, in a meeting with Saif Alketbi, the United Arab Emirates’ special representative for Afghanistan, emphasized the expansion of cooperation between Afghanistan and the UAE.
Hamidullah Akhundzada said that the investment environment in the country is now more favorable than in the past.
Hekmatullah Asifi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, stated: “In this meeting, discussions were held regarding investment in the transport and aviation sectors, as well as in transportation vehicles and attracting investments.”
In a separate meeting with the deputy minister of railways at the Ministry of Public Works, the UAE’s special representative said that his country is working to attract Arab investors to invest in Afghanistan’s railway sector, according to the ministry.
“The UAE’s special representative pledged that his country is committed to bilateral cooperation, especially in the railway sector, and will work to encourage Arab investors to invest in Afghan railways,” said Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works.
On another front, the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines emphasized that investment in various transportation sectors, particularly in railway development, would have a long-term positive impact on the country’s economic growth.
Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, first deputy of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines, said: “One of the fundamental infrastructures of any country is transportation. Unfortunately, we lack a comprehensive railway system. The discussion around reaching border points through transit can connect Afghanistan with the region. For example, if a railway connects Herat to Mazar-i-Sharif, it will facilitate the transport of domestic goods and also link the region through Afghanistan.”
Currently, the Hairatan-Balkh, Aqina-Andkhoy, and Herat-Khawaf railways are among the active lines in the country. The Ministry of Public Works emphasized that major plans are in place to expand these lines within the country, with the aim of connecting them across various regions.
