The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a 13-year sovereign loan of up to US$ 6 million to Tajikistan’s State Communal Unitary Enterprise “Bokhtarnaklietkhizmatrason” (Bokhtar transport services) for the improvement of public transport in the municipality of Bokhtar (previously known as Qurghon Teppa) and the Khatlon province.
According to the EBRD Resident Office in Dushanbe, the funds will be used to acquire up to 40 new low-level-entry buses, which will improve access and comfort for people with special needs and elderly passengers.
They will also finance the construction of a bus depot and the introduction of an integrated e-ticketing system.
This will help Bokhtar transport services improve its operational and financial performance as well as provide a modern fare collection system based on best international practice.
All contracts under the project financed by the EBRD will be procured by open tender in strict compliance with the Bank's Procurement Policies and Rules. This will provide equal opportunities for eligible bidders and contribute to the transparency and cost efficiency of the project.
The project will also encourage employment opportunities for women in a sector that is dominated by male employees.
Ayten Rustamova, EBRD Head of Office in Tajikistan, said: “Public transport upgrades, especially in regions of Tajikistan, are vital and we are happy that we can assist in this. It would also be good to achieve better gender balance in municipal companies, which could unlock new employment opportunities for women in Tajikistan.”
To date, the EBRD has invested over €608 million (US$ 700 million) in various sectors of Tajikistan’s economy.
