Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have signed an agreement to develop the infrastructure of the Torghundi port, a key trade hub connecting the two countries. The $5 million deal aims to strengthen regional transport connectivity and enhance the efficiency of transit shipments between South and Central Asia.

According to Ariananews, the agreement was signed between the Afghan Railway Authority, under the Ministry of Public Works, and Turkmenistan’s state-owned railway construction company “Demirýollary Gurluşyk.”

This initiative is part of broader bilateral efforts to align railway networks and optimize cross-border trade. According to the Afghan Ministry of Public Works, the agreement includes the design and construction by the Turkmen side of modern loading and unloading facilities — including warehousing infrastructure — along the Torghundi–Herat railway line. The planned modernization is expected to significantly increase the port's capacity and improve its operational efficiency.

The development of the dry port at Torghundi is seen by officials from both countries as a major milestone in positioning Afghanistan as a land bridge for regional trade. Improved infrastructure is expected not only to increase import and export volumes but also to enhance Afghanistan’s role in cross-border logistics.

The agreement follows a series of joint initiatives by Afghanistan and Turkmenistan aimed at deepening economic cooperation, particularly in the railway and energy sectors. Officials consistently emphasize that regional connectivity is a foundation for long-term economic growth and stability.

The Torghundi modernization project is expected to streamline trade procedures, create new commercial opportunities, improve logistics capabilities, and contribute to broader development goals through sustainable regional partnerships.

Source: Orient.tm