Turkmenistan Friendship Caravan Carries Relief Goods to Afghanistan

Ashgabat, 7 February 2008 (nCa) --- A caravan of 101 trucks, containers and fuel tankers started Wednesday from Turkmenistan on its journey to Afghanistan.

The friendship caravan, put together by the government and people of Turkmenistan, is carrying 1000 tons of wheat flour, 500 tons of diesel oil and 9000 tons of clothing for the people of Afghanistan to offer them some relief against the extraordinarily harsh and long winter.

Forty-two cities and towns in five provinces – Jowzjan, Faryab, Balkh, Kunduz and Badghiz – will benefit from the relief package of Turkmenistan.

The caravan started from Ak Bugday (White Wheat) museum, some fifteen kilometers east of Ashgabat.

Turkmenistan has maintained close friendly relations with Afghanistan right after independence.

Afghan students are studying in several educational institutions of Turkmenistan. Some 100 of them have already returned to Afghanistan on completion of their education. Under the total support programme, Turkmenistan provides the Afghan students free boarding and lodging, free education, and stipend equivalent to $ 60 per month.

Turkmenistan is supplying electricity to Afghanistan at subsidized rates. From time to time, Turkmenistan waives off the outstanding bills because of Afghanistan’s inability to clear the dues. So far, Turkmenistan has waived off US $ 4.3 million on this account.

In addition to electricity, Turkmenistan also supplies liquefied petroleum gas to Afghanistan at reduced rates.

Turkmenistan has done some infrastructure work in Afghanistan including the reconstruction of railway link to Turgondi and construction of power distribution stations.

Turkmenistan is providing free healthcare and treatment facilities to Afghan citizens in the border areas.

The biggest project that would benefit immensely the people of Afghanistan is the Trans-Afghan Pipeline. Despite slow progress, the project has not lost steam. The next meeting of the steering committee is scheduled for this month in Islamabad.

The trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan has increased from US $ 42 million to US $ 150 million during the last three years.