Tajikistan has reportedly refrained from signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on development of transport corridor that would link Europe and Central Asia bypassing Russia.
The Minister of Transport Azim Ibrohim yesterday told reporters in Dushanbe about the results of the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity that too place in Brussels on January 29-30.
The minister said Tajikistan had refrained from signing the preliminary agreement on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor linking Europe and Central Asia, noting that the government is studying the details and feasibility of attracting loans.
“We said that we need to study the terms and conditions for these loans,” the minister.
Mr. Ibrohim further noted that Tajikistan is interested in receiving grants and soft loans “so that there are no complications later in repaying funds.”
The European Commission notes that the Investors Forum took forward the conclusions of the EU-commissioned Study on Sustainable Transport Corridors between the EU and Central Asia, and aimed at translating the political commitments of the EU and the five countries in Central Asia to enhance and reinforce connectivity into tangible operational deliverables.
The event brought together high-level representatives from Central Asian countries, EU member states, partner countries along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, EU Institutions, international and bilateral financial institutions, as well as representatives of the private sector and members of civil society.
During the two-day Investors Forum the European Union, Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and other gathered partners from across the world reportedly made important steps to start the development of the fast route Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor linking Europe and Central Asia within 15 days.
During an opening speech on January 29, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced an overall commitment to invest €10 billion in sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia, as compiled contributions from international partners present at the Investors Forum.
On the same day, the European Investment Bank Global (EIB Global) signed memorandums of understanding for project co-financing with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan for a total of €1.47 billion.
The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a multimodal linking the European Union and Central Asia through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye.
EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialized arm dedicated to operations outside the European Union, and a key partner of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
The European Investment Bank finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.
Since the start of EIB operations in Central Asia in 2011, the EU bank has signed loans amounting to €1.1 billion to date in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, supporting multiple infrastructure and economic sectors such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, water management and improved access to finance for small businesses.
