New Silk Road train

A new railway will link the three nations of Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, to boost trade and shorten travel time. It was unveiled by the presidents of the three countries in a spectacular inauguration ceremony in Turkmenistan.

The project will also give easier access to the Gulf, Sea of Oman, China and Europe for Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

The 900 kilometre route will link Uzen in Kazakhstan with Gyzlgaya-Bereket-Etrek in Turkmenistan and end in the Iranian province of Golestan. It will then be connected to Iran’s national rail network making its way to the Persian Gulf ports.

The presidential office of Kazakhstan forecasts the rail link will increase the volume of goods shipped between the three countries to 10 million tons a year, a rise of three million.

The railway is now the shortest connecting the three countries and will, said the President of Iran Hassan Rouhani make transferring energy and oil products in the region easier.