Dubai, UAE – DP World Group DB World has signed a historic agreement with the Government of Afghanistan.
With the aim of developing and operating the country’s most important land border facilities in the Torkham and Heratan regions.
This partnership represents an important step towards modernizing Afghanistan’s main trade gateways and strengthening its position as a strategic transit corridor linking Central and South Asia.
Under the terms of the agreement, which takes the form of a public-private partnership, DP World will conduct a comprehensive technical and financial feasibility study before completing the concession process.
The project is expected to include integrated infrastructure upgrades and advanced cargo handling systems.
In addition to digitizing border operations, to enhance the efficiency, safety and reliability of cross-border trade.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group DB World, said: “Efficient trade corridors are an essential element in enhancing economic resilience, and Afghanistan enjoys a unique position that enables it to benefit from stronger ties with neighboring countries”.
“These gateways support massive trade flows, and upgrading them will potentially improve performance across the region,” he added. “We are confident that smarter, more well-managed border infrastructure can pave the way for stability and generate opportunity, and we are committed to supporting Afghanistan as it seeks to build a more interconnected and prosperous future.”
Developing vital facilities for Afghanistan
According to a DB World statement, the project will also prioritize local employment, skills development, and collaboration with partners across Afghanistan.
The Government of Afghanistan will continue to provide sovereign border services.
Including customs, immigration, security and regulatory oversight services, ensuring smooth and safe operations in cooperation with DP World Group.
The Torkham and Heratan crossings are considered essential arteries for Afghanistan’s trade with its neighbors.
General trade data shows that goods worth several billion dollars move across Afghanistan’s borders annually.
The value of bilateral trade with Pakistan alone exceeded more than $1.6 billion in 2024.
Despite the huge volume of trade, limited infrastructure and manual procedures still hinder the efficiency of trade flow.
Modernizing these crossings is vital to enhancing Afghanistan’s potential as a major regional transit route and enabling more stable and secure trade with significant operational capacity.
