Turkish media reported on a meeting of transport ministers from Turkey, Afghanistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan in Istanbul.
According to Turkish media, this meeting discussed the importance of effectively using the Lajward Corridor, facilitating ease of access along this route, and secondary investments for its construction and development.
Turkey's Minister of Transport stated that the Lajward Corridor is a key transportation route aimed at enhancing regional trade through the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe.
Abdul Zahoor Madaber, an expert in economic affairs, said: “The Lajward Corridor is an international transit route that connects Afghanistan to Turkey via Turkmenistan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, and ultimately, it can connect to European countries. The broader this regional connection becomes, the more transit arteries will expand, and trade routes will open, benefiting all involved countries.”
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, considering the significance of the Lajward Corridor for Afghanistan, said that the involved countries should sign multilateral agreements for investment and the use of this route.
Khanjan Alokozay, a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “This region and these three or four countries need to commit and agree to revive the Lajward Corridor. Reviving this route requires action, cost, and investment. We need to establish a system where an Afghan truck can travel directly to Turkey without any restrictions or obstacles.”
Abdul Nasir Rashtia, another expert in economic affairs, said: “Afghanistan is a landlocked country and has always relied on one or two routes, which have created transit problems. Therefore, I believe that reviving the Lajward Corridor, or the Silk Road, which is a historic route that Afghanistan previously used to access Europe, can undoubtedly bring significant growth in trade and transit for Afghanistan.”
The trade and transit agreement for the Lajward Corridor was signed in 1396 solar year between representatives of five countries: Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia. A year after this agreement, the first shipment of 180 tons of Afghan export goods, including dried fruits and cotton, was loaded in Herat and sent to Turkey via this trade corridor.
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