Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb. 19 / Trend H. Hasanov /
The Turkmen government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a memorandum of understanding to finance the construction of a section of a north-south railway corridor along the Bereket Gyzylgaya route (Turkmenistan)-Uzen (Kazakhstan).
According to an official Turkmen source, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda arrived in Ashgabat and attended the signing ceremony. Currently, a large-scale project is being realized along the territories of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran. Its implementation will ensure the shortest route from the European continent to the Gulf region and South Asia, specialists say.
According to the memorandum, the ADB announced its readiness to provide financing of $225 million for the 200-kilometer plot of the new railway line to the Turkmen-Kazakh border. Funds will be allocated for the construction of the railway line, including stations, locomotives and equipment, as well as advisory services for monitoring and managing the project.
Turkmenistan joined the ADB in 2000. A permanent bank office is planned to be set up in Ashgabat.
The ADB has recently promoted the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.