Over 704,000 tonnes of goods transported via railways last month — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): About 704,300 metric tonnes of goods, including petroleum and non-petroleum products and other materials, were transported through Afghanistan’s railways last month, an official said on Saturday. Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), said in a post on X that 464,767 tonnes were transported through the Hairatan port, 39,831 tonnes through the Aqina port, 62,015 tonnes through the Torghundi port and 137,687 tonnes through the Khaf-Herat railway line. He said, without providing figures, that some of the goods transported were exports and that 3,751 tonnes of carbonated drinks were also exported last month. He added that Afghanistan’s railway exports mainly include dried fruits, minerals, agricultural products and other mineral materials, which are exported to neighbouring, Asian and European countries. He noted that railway imports include petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, electrical equipment and other commercial goods imported from various countries. Haqshenas said increased transportation and exports through the railway network would create job opportunities, boost national revenue and strengthen economic stability and self-reliance. The government was working to create better conditions for transporting goods and provide greater facilities for traders, the spokesman concluded.