DP World has signed a landmark agreement with Afghanistan to develop and operate the country’s most important land border facilities at Torkham and Hairatan.
The project is expected to include extensive infrastructure upgrades, advanced cargo-handling systems and the digitalisation of border processes to enhance the efficiency, safety and reliability of cross-border trade.
Structured as a Public–Private Partnership (PPP), the agreement will see DP World undertake a comprehensive technical and financial feasibility study ahead of finalising the concession.
Torkham and Hairatan serve as essential locations for Afghanistan’s commerce with its neighbours. Public trade data shows that several billion dollars of goods move across Afghanistan’s borders each year, with Pakistan alone accounting for more than $1.6 billion of bilateral trade in 2024.
Despite this scale, limited infrastructure and manual procedures continue to constrain flow efficiency. Modernising these crossings is central to unlocking Afghanistan’s potential as a key regional transit route and enabling more predictable, secure and high-capacity trade.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, highlighted that "efficient trade corridors are fundamental to economic resilience, and Afghanistan is uniquely positioned to benefit from stronger links with its neighbours".
The partnership marks a significant step towards modernising Afghanistan’s principal trade gateways and strengthening its position as a strategic transit corridor linking Central and South Asia.
The project will also prioritise local employment, skills development and close collaboration with national partners.
Afghanistan will continue to provide sovereign border functions, including customs, immigration, security and regulatory oversight, working alongside DP World to ensure seamless and secure operations.
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