DUSHANBE, May 22, 2015, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan will supply clean and cheaper energy to Pakistan through CASA 1000 Project, Tajik Ambassador to Pakistan Sherali Jononov was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s
The Express Tribune
on May 22 while briefing Pakistani media about the high-level gathering dubbed the international conference on the implementation of “Water for Life 2005-2015” that will be held in Dushanbe from June 9-11.
Ambassador Jononov reportedly said that the tendering process would be completed in the next five months and the project would connect the region. “The Casa-1000 power import project was a dream five years ago but it has become a reality now,” Jononov noted.
He also appreciated the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and said it would provide the cheapest route for transportation of goods to Central Asian states. “We are pleased that the government is developing new roads which would also create jobs and change the region for the better,” he added. “We will also sign a transit trade agreement soon with Pakistan and Afghanistan to enhance trade with the two countries,” he said, adding trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan stood at $100 million last year and the trade balance was in favor of Pakistan.
Jononov said both countries had pledged to enhance trade volumes to half a billion dollars in the next five years.
The Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade (Casa-1000) Project is designed to transmit 1,300 MW of surplus electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The project is reportedly scheduled for completion by 2018 under the umbrella of the World Bank. Tajikistan’s share in electricity export will be 70% while Kyrgyzstan will contribute 30% of supplies. Afghanistan will consume 300MW of exported electricity while Pakistan will get 1,000MW. The project is expected to give a boost to energy trade in the region, leading to sustainable development.
