BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 14. Trend provides a summary of the key developments in Tajikistan's transport sector from January through June 2023.
During the reviewed period, Tajikistan has been actively working on improving its transportation sector, from the reopening of border crossings with neighboring countries to the construction of new roads and the establishment of strategic partnerships with China and Turkmenistan. The development of air communication was also a significant focus in Tajikistan's transport sector.
Air transportation
On February 1, the Director of the Civil Aviation Agency under the Government of Tajikistan, Dilshod Safarzoda, announced plans to expand flight routes to Russia, depending on profitability and demand. He said that Tajik side said is ready to increase flights to Russian destinations, including the North Caucasus, Mineralnye Vody, the south of Russia, and the Far East.
According to him, more than 85 percent of air transportation in Tajikistan was carried out by Russian airlines. Approximately 180 flights per week were operated by Russian airlines from all international airports in Tajikistan to Russian cities.
Starting from February 5, Somon Air, the national airline of Tajikistan, increased the number of flights from Dushanbe to Russian Novosibirsk from one to two per week. Flights on the Dushanbe-Novosibirsk route began to operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, using Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft.
From February 8, Tajikistan resumed air connections with China after lifting all restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first flights operated from Dushanbe to China's Urumqi.
Additionally, on February 28, air communication between Dushanbe and the administrative center of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) was restored in Tajikistan after a six-year hiatus. A presentation flight of the L 410 NG aircraft marked the relaunch of the air route between Dushanbe and Khorog city (GBAO).
It is worth noting that the Dushanbe-Khorog air route is considered one of the most challenging in the world due to the complex climatic conditions of the high-altitude region and the absence of emergency landing options.
Moreover, Somon Air has been in negotiations with the Czech holding company Omnipol for the potential acquisition of L 410 NG aircraft for domestic air transportation.
Finally, in May 2023, Buta Airways, a subsidiary of AZAL (a national air carrier of Azerbaijan), commenced flights from Baku to Dushanbe.
Tajikistan and China
In the transport sector, China and Tajikistan have taken significant steps to enhance their connectivity. After a three-year hiatus, trucks from Tajikistan have resumed crossing the border into China since January 31, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
On May 18, within the frame of the meeting between President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of China Xi Jinping, the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Transport of China signed a document for cooperation in the transport field which focused on:
Construction and reconstruction of the Kulma-Karakoram checkpoint between these countries to increase international transportation volumes.
Construction and reconstruction of the Barcem-Kulma international highway, connecting Tajikistan's GBAO to Xinjiang, China.
Activation and development of the transport and logistics center in Tajikistan’s Kulob.
Tajik-Turkmen cooperation
Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were also strengthening their transport cooperation to boost economic ties. On May 10 following the meeting and negotiations of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a total of 24 cooperation documents were signed, including two related to the transport sector. The agreements aim to enhance freight traffic and activate multimodal transportation between the two countries.
New car manufacturing enterprises
On May 25, Tajikistan inaugurated a new car plant called "Sipar Guruh" in Tursunzoda city. The plant, built under the government's industrial development strategy, will assemble special military and civilian vehicles primarily for the armed forces of Tajikistan.
During the initial phase, the plant is expected to assemble 17 types of vehicles using imported parts, with a production capacity of 120 vehicles per year. The goal is to increase production and expand exports in the future.
Additionally, in April, Tajikistan announced its plans to begin the production of electric cars.
Tajikistan's international connectivity
The construction and reconstruction project of the Rogun-Obigarm-Nurobod road in Tajikistan, which serves as one of the main gateways for connecting Tajikistan with Kyrgyzstan, received the "Gold Award" for sustainable development from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This road project consists of two stages.
Currently, the first stage focuses on building bridges, concrete structures, and tunnels to enhance transportation infrastructure. This road is located in the eastern part of Tajikistan and connects the capital city with the districts of Nurabad, Rasht, Sangvor, Tajikabad, and Lakhsh.
According to the ministry of transport of Tajikistan, the volume of cargo transportation in Tajikistan by all means of transport amounted to 23.3 million tons from January through March 2023, which is an increase of 10.8 percent year-on-year. Passenger transportation in Tajikistan amounted to 218.3 million people in the first quarter of 2023, which is 11.3 percent more than for the same period last year.
Tajikistan plans to put into operation 317 kilometers of international highways, 32 bridges, 5 tunnels with a length of 11.2 km in next three years.