China will send its experts to Tajikistan for the project of modernizing the infrastructure of the Kulma-Qarasou border check point (BCP) on Tajikistan’s common border with China in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). The expenses for this, amounting to almost 2 million somoni, will also be gratuitously covered by China. The project of the exchange note between the two countries was signed on May 12.
According to the project, which Asia-Plus has reviewed, China, at the request of the Tajik government, agreed to conduct a feasibility study for the modernization of the Kulma-Qarasou BCP infrastructure. According to the project, China will send its expert team to Tajikistan for field research.
This amount will be transferred through the China Development Bank to the National Bank of Tajikistan.
Tajikistan, in turn, has committed to ensuring the safety of Chinese experts and simplifying the process of entry and exit for the experts and equipment.
Additionally, Tajikistan has taken on the responsibility to provide the experts with all information related to the feasibility study of the Kulma post and to engage the necessary number of technical assistants for facilitation.
The fulfillment of Tajikistan’s obligations is provided at the expense of the country itself.
Recall that the reconstruction of the Kulma-Qarasou BCP was announced in 2023 during a meeting between the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and Ma Xingrui, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of China in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
This border checkpoint is the only official land checkpoint between Tajikistan and China and is located in GBAO’s Murgab district – the eastern part of the mountainous Pamirs, near the border of China’s XUAR.
Kulma is of great importance for the economy of Tajikistan, as a significant portion of goods and products imported from China passes through it. It was officially opened in 2004.
A grant of 1.3 million somoni for the purchase of laboratory equipment
China has agreed to the request of the Tajik government to purchase reagents and other necessary materials for the “Project of Providing Laboratory Equipment for Determining and Controlling Quality in Tajikistan” and will provide gratuitous funds amounting to 1 million Chinese yuan (over 1.35 million somoni).
“The project states that China will transfer this amount to a special bank account in Tajikistan, which the government will propose, and after the funds are transferred, the parties will ‘determine the specific goals for the use of the funds.’
According to the project, Tajikistan must carry out this purchase independently.
Tajikistan also undertakes to use these funds solely for the purchase of reagents and other necessary materials for the specified project.
Additionally, the government of the country must create a special control system for the implementation of the project and the use of these funds and regularly provide reports on the work done to the Chinese side.
In particular, China, at the request of the Tajik government, will provide Tajikistan with 34 units of reconnaissance equipment and other police materials and supplies, worth 52 million Chinese yuan (over 72 million somoni).
