TEHRAN: The first phase of the China-Iran-Europe Railway Corridor was launched with a formal ceremony at Tehran’s rail dry port, Aprin.
According to the Iranian media reports on Sunday Miad Salehi, Deputy Minister and CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, the Deputy Ambassador of China, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, and the Chargé d’Affaires of Turkmenistan attended the ceremony.
Iran-China freight trains will pass through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The goods train carrying minerals left Tehran’s dry port to China today.
The first Chinese transit train departed for Tehran on July 16 from the Shaanxi province of China through this new railway line connecting Iran and China.
This train route would be vital to enhance trade between Iran and China and make Iran a safe gateway for China to Europe and vice versa.
Following Iran’s transport diplomacy with the neighboring states, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan had effective cooperation to implement this railway route.
Salehi went on to say that the China-Iran-Europe railway route has high security and will take less time than sea transportation. The new corridor will be more economical for freight owners.
Over the past many years, Iran has expanded its trade routes with the regional states, especially through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
