Demystifying The Lapis Lazuli Corridor as A Potential Trade Pathway for Bilateral Growth of Afghanistan and Eurasian Countries

Abstract

Afghanistan’s great potential contribution to sustainable economic growth and a vital hub for Eurasian trade and transit is considerable. This research endeavor discusses the significance of the Lapis Lazuli corridor as a geostrategic transit route connecting Eurasian international macro-level trade and its potential to connect Asian trade flows. The objective is to identify opportunities and challenges for regional trade and propose solutions to address these challenges. The goal of this study is to better comprehend the economic and trade potential of the Lapiz Lazuli corridor, a ground-breaking transit route linking Afghanistan and Central Asia, both of which offer enormous potential for trade expansion and enrichment. The study uses an evidence-based approach to study the key issues at hand. We recommend how strengthening and expediting the existing bilateral regional and transit trade agreements shall be of immense economic benefit to Afghanistan. Additionally, the problems identified include political rivalries between neighboring countries, poverty, unemployment, lack of security and literacy, economic backwardness, lack of transit route management integrity, and weather issues in the Black and Caspian Seas. The lack of trade data between Afghanistan and Central Asia due to four decades of war is a limitation. The study proposes recommendations to address these challenges and harness the potential of this route for future trade.