China and Pakistan reportedly agree to bring Belt and Road Initiative to Afghanistan

By bne IntelIiNews May 30, 2023

China and Pakistan have reportedly agreed to extend the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into Afghanistan, potentially drawing in billions of dollars to fund infrastructure projects in the sanctions-hit country.

Silk Road Briefing on May 29 cited Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry as saying an agreement for the inclusion of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan was reached in Islamabad on May 28.

The extension of BRI to Afghanistan could have important trade and infrastructure ramifications for the countries of Central Asia, particularly its neighbours Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Iran might also eventually stand to benefit as another neighbour of Afghanistan.

Elements of the $60bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will likely be planned with Afghanistan involvement if the BRI move enjoys clear implementation. Such implementation might depend on the stability, or instability, of the security-situation in the conflict-torn country.

A UN agency said last week the Taliban requires $4.6bn in 2023 to assist more than two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population of 40mn, most of whom are living in extreme poverty.

Read in IntelliNews Pro
Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

Reconstruction of Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway starts, ambition is to extend route to Pakistan

Engineers have commenced the $6.3mn and three-month reconstruction of the 75-kilometre (47-mile) cross-border railway line that links Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, ... more

Afghanistan lifts restrictions on rail freight transit for Uzbek operators

Afghanistan has lifted restrictions on rail freight transit for Uzbek operators, Uzbekistan’s transport ministry has announced. Back in August, officials of the neighbouring countries agreed to ... more

Officials refer to price tag of towards $7bn for planned Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway

The price tag for the planned Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway, also known as the Trans-Afghan Railway, will be towards $7bn according to estimates made by the three countries. Officials at ... more

Follow Us On

Most Read

  1. Iran vs Israel: Who is better equipped for war?
    5 days ago
  2. Saudi Arabia to scale back plans for Neom city
    8 days ago
  3. BREAKING: Iraq, Syria and Jordan close airspace amid Iranian strike on Israel
    5 days ago
  4. PANNIER: Caspian military drills that exclude Russia and Iran have some people in Moscow asking questions
    6 days ago
  5. Oil continues to flow to Israel via Turkey despite Erdogan’s vehement speeches on plight of Gaza
    5 months ago
  1. Russia could pay off its entire external debt tomorrow, in cash
    19 days ago
  2. Speculation swirls of “Men in Blue” in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack linked to FSB
    23 days ago
  3. Albanians campaign on social media to keep bus bridge created in freak accident
    1 year ago
  4. UBN: Russia could take the Baltic states in 48 hours
    28 days ago
  5. BRICS announce a blockchain-based payment system to create a common currency
    21 days ago

Reports

Dismiss