BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Trend provides a review of the key developments in Tajikistan's transport sector in 2023.
Tajikistan has made serious steps to improve its transportation sector throughout the assessment period. These initiatives included the reopening of border crossings with neighboring nations, the continuous construction of new roads, and the formation of strategic alliances, particularly with China and other countries. Tajikistan has placed a high priority on improving air communication.
Air transportation
On February 1, 2023, Dilshod Safarzoda, the Director of the Civil Aviation Agency under the Government of Tajikistan, unveiled plans to expand flight routes to Russia based on profitability and demand. He mentioned Tajikistan's readiness to increase flights to various Russian destinations, encompassing the North Caucasus, Mineralnye Vody, the south of Russia, and the Far East.
Safarzoda highlighted that over 85 percent of air transportation in Tajikistan was conducted by Russian airlines. Approximately 180 flights per week were operated by Russian airlines from all international airports in Tajikistan to cities in Russia.
Starting February 5, Somon Air, Tajikistan's national airline, increased the number of flights from Dushanbe to Novosibirsk, Russia, from one to two per week. Flights along the Dushanbe-Novosibirsk route commenced operating biweekly on Wednesdays and Sundays, utilizing Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft.
On February 8, Tajikistan reinstated air connections with China following the lifting of all restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial flights operated from Dushanbe to Urumqi, China.
Moreover, on February 28, air communication between Dushanbe and the administrative center of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) was reestablished 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's noteworthy that the Dushanbe-Khorog air route is considered one of the most challenging globally due to the complex climatic conditions of the high-altitude region and the absence of emergency landing options.
Furthermore, Tajikistan's Somon Air has been engaged in negotiations with the Czech holding company Omnipol regarding the potential acquisition of L 410 NG aircraft for domestic air transportation.
In May 2023, Buta Airways, a subsidiary of AZAL (the national air carrier of Azerbaijan), initiated flights from Baku to Dushanbe.
Additionally, Somon Air increased the number of flights to Russia. From September 2, aircraft commenced flying twice a week from Dushanbe to Moscow's Zhukovsky airport.
On December 16, Somon Air increased the number of flights on the Dushanbe-Khujand - Dushanbe route, now operating daily flights along this route.
Tajikistan and China are taking steps to enhance connectivity.
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 that 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.
In August, China and Tajikistan signed several cooperation agreements in the transportation sector during an official visit of Rustam Emomali, Chairman of the National Assembly of Tajikistan, to China.
These documents include:
Plans for road construction and reconstruction, including the building of four new overpasses in Dushanbe,
Upgrades and renovations of the Tajikistan-China border crossing point, Kulma-Karasu;
The reconstruction and building of a road segment connecting the village of Varshnor in Tajikistan's Shughnon District to the Tajikistan-China border crossing point Kulma-Karasu.
In August, it was also announced that Tajikistan and China plan to establish the first joint venture for electric car production within Tajikistan's territory.
A corresponding memorandum of understanding worth $25 million was signed between Tajikistan's "Avesto Group" company and China's "Jinchuan Group" company, outlining the organization, establishment, and management of a joint electric car production enterprise. The production capacity of the enterprise is set at 1,500 cars per year.
On December 8, an agreement was signed between the "Tajikairnavigation" state unitary enterprise and the Civil Aviation Administration of China regarding the opening of a new corridor.
Signing of new agreements between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were also strengthening their transport cooperation to boost economic ties. On May 10, following the meeting and negotiations of President Emomali Rahmon and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, 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.
Strengthening ties between Tajikistan and Latvia
In December, Tajikistan and Latvia signed a memorandum of understanding in Dushanbe aimed at increasing international transportation by various modes. Both countries expressed readiness to expand cooperation in the realms of automobile and railway transport, particularly in fostering direct economic connections between Tajikistan's transportation enterprises and the railway administration of both countries, aiming to support the trade and economic development of each side.
Furthermore, the parties agreed to take measures to develop and enhance the efficiency of new international freight corridors and passenger routes between cities in their respective countries. This includes leveraging the international transport corridor "Europe-Caucasus-Asia" (TRACECA).
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.
Metro construction
In early September, the Export-Import Bank of South Korea (Eximbank) announced its provision of $200,000 for conducting preliminary work toward the construction of a metro system in Tajikistan.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Eximbank and Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport. According to this agreement, Eximbank pledges to finance the preliminary study and provide technical-economic justification for the construction of the metro system in Dushanbe. Representatives from the bank also committed to financing the detailed project development.
The Ministry of Transport highlighted the establishment of a working group aimed at facilitating timely discussions on metro construction matters. Within this framework, 16 meetings have already taken place.
Operations of international financial institutions
The Eurasian Development Bank (EBRD)
A source at the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) told Trend that the bank is expecting substantial progress on the construction of the Obigarm-Nurobod road in Tajikistan in 2023.
The Obigarm-Nurobod road project entails the construction of a new road as an alternative to the existing M41 highway in Tajikistan. This new road will connect the northeastern regions of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Tajikistan needs this alternative because the current route will be flooded once the reservoir of the Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) in Tajikistan (which is under construction at the moment) is filled to operating levels.
The source said that the EBRD co-invested in the construction of the new road along with three other international financial institution partners. The decision was based on the findings of their "Assessment of Risk to Transport Infrastructure of Climate Change in Central Asia."
The study highlighted significant climate change-related risks in the region and provided recommendations to ensure the road's climate resilience. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) of Tajikistan agreed to incorporate these recommendations into the project.
Moreover, the construction and reconstruction project of the Rogun-Obigarm-Nurobod road in Tajikistan, serving as a primary gateway connecting Tajikistan with Kyrgyzstan, has received the "Gold Award" for sustainable development from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The section between Kyzyl Kala and Bokhtar of the Dushanbe-Bokhtar highway has been inaugurated in Tajikistan. Construction work on the project to reconstruct the Kyzyl-Kala-Bokhtar section commenced in June 2021 and concluded in May 2023. The Dushanbe-Bokhtar highway facilitates cross-country access from the northern to the southern parts of Tajikistan.
The World Food Program (WFP)
Two bridges have been inaugurated across the Yagnob River in Tajikistan's Ayni district in the Sughd region. These bridges, measuring 10 and 25 meters, respectively, are situated 105 kilometers north of Dushanbe and will serve as crucial connections for 10 villages in the Yagnob valley. The construction of these bridges was funded by the World Food Programme (WFP).
The construction of the bridges was completed in collaboration with Welthungerhilfe, a German private agency, and local authorities. Under the supervision of WFP's engineering teams and in partnership with a local entity, the project generated employment opportunities for local residents.
The OPEC Fund for International Development
Tajikistan and the OPEC Fund for International Development signed a credit agreement for the first phase of the Guliston-Farkhor-Panj-Dusti Road Reconstruction Project. The credit agreement was signed by Tajikistan's Minister of Finance, Fayziddin Kakhhorzoda, and Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, Director-General of the OPEC International Development Fund.
The primary objective of the project is to enhance the efficiency and quality of Tajikistan's road network, thereby fostering the growth of the country's international transit potential. The overall value of the arrangement is $10 million, entirely funded by concessional loan funds from the OPEC Fund for International Development. The total cost of the project amounts to $41 million.