DUSHANBE, October 1, 2014, Asia-Plus — The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament) today ratified a grant agreement signed between Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank, under which ADB provides a US$9.2 million grant to help Tajikistan support faster, more predictable and efficient cross-border processing activities.
Speaking at the Majlisi Namoyandagon session, deputy Finance Minister, Alamkhon Naimi, said the grant was part of the Regional Improvement of Border Services project benefiting Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The project aims to accelerate trade growth within the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region and with the rest of the world.
In Tajikistan, the project will upgrade the Guliston border crossing point located along the regional Osh-Khujand highway, including construction of infrastructure and inspection facilities, water supply and sewerage systems, and provision of equipment. The improvements will accommodate anticipated traffic growth and reduce congestion in this border crossing point to facilitate the movement of goods and people.
The project will also support the establishment of a national single window facility to streamline trade and transport data submission, and ensure conformity of submitted data with international requirements. A single window facility allows submission of transport and trade documents only once, and their review and processing prior to cargo’s arrival at the border, significantly simplifying cross-border procedures.
The Government of Tajikistan will provide counterpart funding of $1.9 million for the project, which is due for completion in the first half of 2018, the deputy minister said.
