KABUL, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have officially resumed the activities of the fifth section of the strategically important Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway in northern Balkh province, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs announced on Thursday.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar highlighted the strengthening of economic and trade ties between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, noting that bilateral relations have reached a new level of cooperation, according to the office.
The reactivated fifth section spans 70 km of the main railway line and 30 km of branch lines. It includes five stations and boasts a cargo unloading capacity of 50 wagons per operation, the office said in a statement.
The development is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency, volume, and speed of commercial goods transportation between the two countries. ■
