DUSHANBE, April 28, 2011, Asia-Plus — TAJIKISTAN (28 April 2011) – As a small, landlocked country, Tajikistan depends on external trade to promote development, and its export-oriented businesses require transport that is fast, reliable and cheap, says a new report recently issued by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), press release issued by the ADB Resident Tajikistan Mission (TJRM) says.
Tajikistan is strategically located in Central Asia, meaning it’s an important transit route for commercial traffic from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Russian Federation, South Asia, and the Middle East. But because the country is remote and mountainous, transport and logistics costs are among the highest in the world.
“Development of the transport sector will boost economic growth and living standards because well-developed infrastructure will attract industries, skilled labor and trade,” said Joji Tokeshi, ADB”s Country Director for Tajikistan.
The Tajikistan Transport Sector Master Plan is supportive of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program and Tajikistan’s national development program. It estimates about $2.3 billion as total expenditures in the transport sector between 2010 and 2025.
The report was prepared as part of an ADB-funded study through extensive consultation with the Government of Tajikistan covering the road, railway, and civil aviation subsectors. It is intended to provide a general platform to guide Tajikistan”s future transport sector development.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and to date the institution has approved total assistance of over $845 million in concessional loans, grants and technical assistance to the country.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2010, ADB approvals, including co-financing, totaled $17.51 billion. In addition, ADB”s ongoing Trade Finance Program supported $2.8 billion in trade.
