World Bank investment in Tajikistan to lead the country out of isolation
Dushanbe (AsiaNews) - The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group (which includes five organisations) on February 15 approved the allocation of US$ 45 million to fund the second phase of the Central Asia Road Links Programme, to be implemented in Tajikistan in 2015-2020, The Financial newspaper reported on its website.
According to World Bank experts, the goal is to boost transport connectivity between Tajikistan and its neighbours along key cross-border road links in the Sughd Region (northern Tajikistan), and thus regionally connect people, firms, markets and opportunities.
The Central Asia Road Links (CARs) Programme is a collaborative regional, multi-phase plan launched by Central Asian nations. It aims to increase intraregional transport connectivity whilst supporting improvements in road operations and maintenance practices.
CARs' first phase focuses on rehabilitating cross-border road links bordering Tajikistan and covers Kyrgyzstan's Batken Province.
The second phase (CARs-2) will focus on rehabilitating about 70 kilometres of cross-border road sections in Sughd Region connecting Tajikistan's road network with that of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyzstan.
Specifically, the road sections to be rehabilitated include the Kuchkak-Kim-Isfara-Guliston border crossing (45.1 km), the Dehmoi-Proletarsk-Madaniyat border crossing (16.9 km), including a link to the intermodal rail terminal in Proletarsk, and the Kanibadam-Patar border crossing (5.7 km).
"Tajikistan is Central Asia's least connected, most isolated country, with only limited regional and international connectivity, where road transport is often the only option given the alpine topography and small rail network," said Patricia Veevers-Carter, World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan.
"By financing the rehabilitation of cross-border road links in Sughd Oblast, which accounts for 40 percent of the country's overall freight turnover, the project will expand opportunities for trade and increase the competitiveness of domestic products, leading to private sector growth and job creation."
In addition to rehabilitation work, the project will support Tajikistan's Transport Ministry to improve road operations and asset management practices, by supporting its Sector Development Strategy up to 2050, reviewing technical standards, norms and parameters on vehicle weight, axle load limits and tariffication, as well as developing a strategic plan for the implementation of the axle load control systems.
On asset management, the project will finance a survey equipment (including geo-references) and provide support for the final deployment of a road asset management system in the Transport Ministry to help address the problem of overloaded of trucks.
The Tajik Ministry of Transport will implement the CARs-2 project over five years. The World Bank's total contribution of US$ 45 million includes a US$ 38.25 million highly concessional credit, and a US$ 6.75 million grant.
The project should directly benefit some 2.6 million residents in the Sughd Region who will be able to travel on revamped road sections.
According to The Financial's, the World Bank Group's US$ 185.1 million, 12-project portfolio in Tajikistan is aimed at supporting the country's economic growth through private sector development, whilst investing in better public services for people, such as education, health, municipal services and social protection.
Since 1996, the World Bank has provided US$ 978 million in grants and highly concessional credits from the International Development Association (one of the five international organisations that are part of the World Bank Group) and trust fund resources to Tajikistan.
The World Bank Group plans to continue supporting Tajikistan as it strives to improve the lives of its people and meet the aspirations of its young and growing population.
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12/03/2021 09:15
12/06/2021 14:56
