KABUL: In a recent meeting between the Russian ambassador and Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Public Works, both sides explored avenues to strengthen economic and trade ties, with a particular focus on infrastructure development.
Top priorities included the renovation of the Salang Highway tunnel, plans to construct an additional tunnel along the same route, and collaborative efforts to expand Afghanistan’s railway system.
According to Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry, the discussions covered a wide range of infrastructure topics, including sourcing railway equipment and components from Russia and enhancing the country’s rail connectivity.
The Ministry also revealed that over 76,000 metric tons of goods—including exports, imports, and transit shipments—were moved last week through the nation’s key rail routes: Hairatan, Khaf-Herat, Torghundi, and Aqina.
Officials hope these developments signal a new phase of regional cooperation and economic integration, with infrastructure at the core of Afghanistan’s long-term strategy.
