The first container train on the new China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan transport corridor has officially been launched, marking another step in expanding regional trade connectivity across Central Asia.

The train, carrying 50 containers, is traveling through several stations in China before entering Kazakhstan via the Altynkol station and continuing through Uzbekistan on its way to Afghanistan, The Caspian Post reports via Sputnik Uzbekistan.

According to Uztemiryulkonteyner, another container train along the same route is already scheduled to depart on May 30.

The new railway corridor is expected to strengthen cargo transportation links between China and Afghanistan while boosting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s role as major transit hubs in the region.