Russia and Uzbekistan design organizations will work together this year to conduct the Trans-Afghan Railway project’s feasibility study, Trend news agency reported. 

According to a statement issued by Russia’s Ministry of Transport on Tuesday, Russian and Uzbek designers “will ensure the preparation of sections of the feasibility study for the project to build the Trans-Afghan Railway along the agreed routes, including in terms of determining the forecast for freight traffic volumes and economic efficiency.”

The ministry said two routes have been identified. These are: Mazar-e-Sharif – Herat – Dilaram – Kandahar – Chaman; and the other is Termez – Naibabad – Logar – Kharlachi.

The statement noted that the first session to discuss the project will be held within the framework of the Russia-Islamic World Forum in Kazan in May. A delegation from Afghanistan will attend, along with representatives from Pakistan Railways. 

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has confirmed that Afghanistan will participate in the XVI (16th) International Economic Forum ‘Russia — Islamic World: Kazan’ and the Kazan Halal Expo in Russia this year.

The forum will run from May 13 to 18 and will bring together experts from Russian regions; the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states; and other countries to discuss various topics during the 120 sessions planned.

The expo meanwhile will showcase thousands of goods from around the world that meet Halal standards.

Abdul Salam Javad Akhundzada, the ministry’s spokesman, said Sunday that Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi has stated that Afghanistan is ready to participate in the event and showcase Afghan products.

According to Akhundzada, Azizi has discussed the event with members of the private sector who are eager to participate.

The expo, which is held annually alongside the forum, is Russia’s largest trading platform for Muslims.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said in a statement on the forum and expo recently that “Russia values its traditionally friendly ties with Muslim countries. We highly appreciate their desire to pursue an independent foreign policy and increase their role in international affairs.

“Together, we stand for the formation of a democratic multipolar world order, based on the rule of law and principles of justice, free from any form of dictatorship and discrimination.

“Of course, we are also committed to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, from trade and investment to sports and tourism,” he said.

Putin went on to say “I believe that the work of the forum will be meaningful and constructive as always and will be held in a spirit of openness and trust. It will serve to further promote the friendship and creative partnership between our countries and peoples.”

The forum will bring together experts from Russian regions, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, and other countries to discuss:

Iran exported non-oil commodities worth $2.2 billion to Afghanistan during the 11-month period from March 20, 2024 to February 18, 2025, the head of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said.

Foroud Asgari said Afghanistan was Iran’s fifth top export destination in the mentioned 11-month period, Tehran Times reported Sunday.

In the past year, Afghanistan and Iran have forged closer trade ties. In February, the governors of both central banks met on the sidelines of a banking technology summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where they discussed strengthening monetary and banking cooperation.

Also, in October, ports and maritime officials of Iran and Afghanistan met to discuss investment opportunities for the Afghan private sector in Iran’s southeastern Chabahar Port.

Tehran Times reported that this meeting was attended by the director general of the Ports and Maritime Department of Sistan-Baluchestan Province, the governor-general of the province, some Iranian MPs, and officials of the Afghanistan Trade and Industry Ministry.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with an Iranian trade delegation in Kabul last August, Afghanistan’s interim Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund said that his country is eager to attract Iranian investors in order to develop the Afghan mining industry, generate solar electricity and expand railway connectivity.

The Iranian delegation also proposed to launch a joint special industrial zone with Afghanistan.

Afghanistan supplies more than 80 percent of its market needs through imports, and imports from Iran constitute 25 percent of this amount.

The establishment of national security and the central government in Afghanistan over the past two years have improved the conditions of trade between the two countries.