DUSHANBE, August 21, 2008, Asia-Plus — On August 19, 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers handed over a $6.5 million border facility at Nizhny Panj to the Tajik Customs Service.
According to the US Embassy in Dushanbe, the facility includes a welcome center, guard posts, cargo inspection hall, pedestrian crossing facility and living quarters for the customs and border personnel who staff the border crossing point. These improvements will enhance Tajikistan’s border security capabilities while providing for ease of movement for travelers and cargo between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
The border facility is an addition to the existing bridge connecting the two countries at Nizhny Panj, built by the United States for $28 million in 2007. The next phase in the project is a separate customs facility, which is expected to be completed next year. The bridge is designed to increase trade between Tajikistan and its neighboring countries, spurring increased trade and economic development throughout South and Central Asia.
The United States provides more than $40 million of assistance annually to Tajikistan. These funds contribute to Tajikistan’s security, economic development, democratic freedom, and the health and education of Tajikistan’s citizens.
