Taliban’s Transport Ministry Completes Transfer of Eight Export Shipments via Lapis Lazuli Corridor to Turkey
The Taliban’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced the completion of transferring eight export commercial shipments through the Lapis Lazuli Corridor and the Turghundi port to international markets. These shipments are scheduled to be dispatched to Turkey on Sunday, March 15.
According to a statement released by the ministry, this initiative is part of efforts to facilitate transit and strengthen the country’s export sector. Officials from the ministry stated that all necessary coordination for moving these shipments via the Lapis Lazuli route has been finalized.
Based on the provided information, this corridor connects Afghanistan to Turkey through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Once the goods reach Turkey, they are planned to be further exported to markets in Saudi Arabia, the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The shipments include dried fruit, jam, pots, and energy drinks. Established in 2018, the Lapis Lazuli Corridor is a regional transit and trade route aimed at connecting Afghanistan to European markets via the Caucasus and Turkey. It is considered an alternative to some traditional export routes.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Transport has identified the development of transit corridors and support for the growth of exports and imports as top priorities. However, economic activists consistently emphasize that effective use of such routes requires stability in trade policies, reduction of administrative barriers, and the creation of practical facilities at the country’s ports and customs—critical needs highlighted by the private sector.
