UAE delegation attends opening of Kulyab – Kalai Khumb road in Tajikistan

A high-level delegation from the UAE led by His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, comprising representatives from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), participated in the official launch ceremony of the Kulyab - Kalaikhumb Road in Tajikistan on September 13 (Wednesday).

His Excellency President Emam Ali Rahman of the Republic of Tajikistan attended the opening ceremony alongside senior officials and representatives from various financial development institutions that also contributed to the road’s construction.

ADFD, via an AED55 million (US$15 million) contribution, financed the construction of the 39-km Kulyab - Kalaikhumb Road (connecting Shorbad to Shagon), representing 16 per cent of the total project cost valued at US$94 million. 

On this occasion, His Excellency Al Mazrouei said that the UAE is seeking to strengthen its relations with Tajikistan in all areas of common interest noting that these relations have seen remarkable development during the past few years.

The UAE Energy Minister added that the support of the wise leadership in the UAE and Tajikistan contributed directly to the strong and cordial relations that have led to cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, energy and transport. These continued efforts have driven an increase in trade exchange volumes between the two countries.

His Excellency Al Mazrouei highlighted that ADFD’s contribution to the newly inaugurated road reinforces the UAE’s keenness in supporting the infrastructure and sustainable development vision of the Tajik government.

In his remarks on the opening of the new road, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said that the UAE is dedicated to supporting and boosting bilateral relations with Central Asian countries and increasing cooperation to ensure sustainable development.

Al Suwaidi noted that this strategic project would contribute to improving the transport sector in Tajikistan through easing the movement of passengers and goods, as well as linking the country’s major cities with international roads. He added that ADFD is keen to support strategic socio-economic projects that elevate the living standards in beneficiary countries.

The 39-km Kulyab - Kalaikhumb Road (Shorbad to Shagon) project included building two tracks with a total width of seven metres and the rehabilitation of several existing bridges, as well as road curvatures. The project also included the installation of supplementary road accessories such as water drains and soil/rock-fall netting, among other elements. The Islamic Development Bank, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and the OPEC Fund for International Development also contributed to the funding.

The strategic development project connecting the villages of Shorbad and Shagon aims to improve the quality of life in the mountainous and rural areas of Tajikistan, where traffic is disrupted by winter snowfall, through providing year-round transportation services and facilitating the movement of passengers and goods.

This project in Tajikistan will boost economic development in the region and better connect the capital Dushanbe to the eastern regions of the country. Furthermore, the Kulyab - Kalaikhumb Road will also enable inter-country accessibility between Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, China and Kyrgyzstan.