Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, said today (Wednesday) during the inauguration of the fourth stop on the Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway that Afghanistan's geographical and strategic location is a key connecting point for Central Asian countries.

Baradar highlighted at the ceremony that the Islamic Emirate is striving to find various ways to connect regional countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs said: "Afghanistan's geographical and strategic location is a key connecting point for Central Asian countries. Considering this, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is trying to find various ways to strengthen the regional economy by connecting the countries of the region."

Mohammad Esa Thani, acting Minister of Public Works, said that the Islamic Emirate aims to transform the Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway or Naibabad railway into a regional crossroads for the transport of commercial goods from neighboring countries.

Thani said at the ceremony: "Our joint delegation with Uzbekistan will go to Jawzjan, then to Faryab and Badghis, and then to Herat, Nimroz, Farah, Helmand, and Kandahar. God willing, this route will be built up to Pakistan."

According to the acting Minister of Public Works, the Hairatan--Mazar-e-Sharif or Naibabad stop has been reactivated after several years and spans 50 kilometers.

The Governor of Balkh and representatives from Uzbekistan consider the reactivation of this stop beneficial for facilitating trade between the two countries.

Mohammad Yousuf Wafa, Governor of Balkh, said: "This is a source of joy for traders, it boosts economic capacities, and brings many facilities."

Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan special envoy on Afghanistan, said at the ceremony: "We hope this route will symbolize brotherhood, friendship, and good neighborliness between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, and in addition, it will contribute to the revival of Afghanistan's national economy."

The repair work on the Hairatan--Mazar-e-Sharif railway route began in February last year by an Uzbekistan company at a cost of $6.3 million dollars. The repair work has now been completed up to the fourth port - Naibabad section, and it has been put into operation.