First cargo train from Afghanistan has reached China after crossing Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
The train was carrying 1,100 tonnes of talc powder and other products of Afghanistan, Afghanistan, according to the country’s Chamber of Commerce. The train arrived in its destination three days after it left Hairatan port in Balkh province.
Carpets, dried fruits and medicinal plants were other products transported to China via railway.
Officials said that the Administrative Office of the President spent $80,000 on transportation of the goods.
Khanjan Alokozai, deputy of Chamber of Commerce, however, said that port services on the route are costly, adding China even collects sales tax from Afghan goods.
The train involved 41 containers. For transportation of each container, traders spent $2,000 and paid $2,000 to the Afghan government.
Economics experts suggest building refrigerated warehouses and equipping Hairatan port could reduce cost of transporting goods.
This comes as transporting goods to China via Pakistan’s Karachi port takes 45 days.
