UAE, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan sign deal for trans-Afghan railway

Astana and Tashkent have long advocated for a trans-Afghan railway but have lacked the financial resources and technical expertise to implement it independently. The UAE's inclusion is expected to address these shortcomings and pave the way for construction.

According to a Kazakh government statement, the UAE brings "international experience in transport infrastructure, logistics, and the implementation of major investment projects." The statement did not specify any financial commitments from the parties involved.

Due to the international community's lack of recognition for the Taliban government, the railway project has struggled to attract support from international financial institutions. Previously, the Asian Development Bank had supported the construction of a 75-kilometer railway segment connecting Hairaton to Mazar-i-Sharif.

The memorandum's objectives include ensuring transport connectivity between Central and South Asia and fostering opportunities for international transport, trade, logistics, and investment cooperation. The initial phase will involve preparing "technical and economic studies and analytical assessments" to identify the necessary infrastructure for traversing Afghanistan's mountainous terrain.

A permanent working group will be established by the signatories to manage the railway's "technical, economic and financial aspects." However, even if financing and engineering challenges are overcome, the project faces a significant political hurdle in the form of strained Afghan-Pakistani relations, which have led to border closures and clashes over the past year.