Uzbekistan set to increase freight transportation from Afghanistan

Sogdiana Trans, a subsidiary of Uzbekistan Railways, plans to increase the volume of cargo transportation from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan and other CIS countries, the company said.

32,400 tons of goods, including dried fruits, potatoes, tangerines and talc, have been transported from Afghanistan this year.

13,800 tons were exported to Kazakhstan, almost 16,000 tons to Uzbekistan and 2,570 tons to Russia.

The company plans to transport 45 more loaded wagons of Afghan goods to Kazakhstan and 99 wagons to Uzbekistan.

Sogdiana Trans was established in December 2011 to operate and maintain the Hairaton-Mazar-i-Sharif railway line in Afghanistan. In November 2010, Uzbekistan Railways completed the construction of a 75 km line worth $129 million.