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ADB Allocates $15 Million to Tajikistan for Power Grid Reconnection in Central Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a grant of $15 million for a project to reconnect Tajikistan’s power lines to the Central Asian unified electricity grid. The reconnection, it is reported, will be carried out through mutual relations with Uzbekistan. “Through the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, ADB actively promotes regional power trade among countries in Central Asia and beyond,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “Our support improves the sustainability of the regional power system and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.” The additional funding will build a new 22-kilometer, 500-kilovolt power line in northern Tajikistan, connecting the Sughd substation to the New Syrdarya substation in Uzbekistan. This will increase the ability to send and receive electricity between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan and improve the infrastructure to prevent blackouts. The project will also help ensure that Tajikistan’s energy system is ready to provide regulatory opportunities for the continued integration of renewable energy in the region. In the long term, it will become a key component of the electricity evacuation scheme for the Rogun hydropower plant in Tajikistan. Previously, ADB approved $17.5 million in grant assistance to improve women's agricultural skills and ensure food security in Tajikistan.

International Finance Corporation High- speed highway International investment Asian Development Bank ADB Banking

ADB to Finance Upgrade of Barskoon–Karakol Section of Issyk-Kul Ring Road in Kyrgyzstan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on September 19 that it had approved $109.5 million in financing to renovate the highway around Lake Issyk-Kul. The lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan, and a strategic location that connects to neighboring Central Asian countries. ADB’s Issyk-Kul Ring Road Improvement Project will construct 75.2 kilometers of the road traversing the Barskoon to Karakol section of the Issyk-Kul Ring Road, which connects the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 1. The project will widen the two-lane roadway to four lanes to meet increasing traffic demand, while incorporating climate-adaptation measures into the road design and construction materials. Rest areas, bus stops, streetlights, and safer access for pedestrians will also be constructed. The ADB funding comprises an $87 million concessional loan and a $22.5 million grant from the Asian Development Fund. ADB Principal Transport Specialist Oyunchimeg Erdene commented: “The Barskoon–Karakol road section [on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul] is the remaining portion of the Issyk-Kul Ring Road for improvement. Completing this will mean eliminating congestion and boosting tourism that will support the growth of businesses in the area.” Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Beknazar Bazaraliev, earlier said that the rehabilitation of the Issyk-Kul Ring Road is to be completed in 2028. The rehabilitation of the 440 km long Issyk-Kul Ring Road was divided into several parts and is financed by the government and international financial organizations.

Regional Development ADB Strategy Economy

ADB Launches New Strategy for Turkmenistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced its new country partnership strategy for Turkmenistan on August 28. The strategy is designed to help the country develop a competitive, diversified, and knowledge-based economy driven by an innovative private sector. Under the new strategy, which spans from 2024 to 2028, the ADB’s assistance will focus on three strategic priorities: supporting the green transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient economy, promoting economic competitiveness through diversification with an emphasis on private sector and human capital development, and promoting structural reforms and institutional development. The ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, commented: “ADB and Turkmenistan have a longstanding partnership, and the new strategy underscores our unwavering commitment to the country’s development. We will continue working closely with the government and Turkmenistan’s development partners to help the country realize its ambitious long-term development goals.” The ADB will support Turkmenistan’s green transformation with investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, low-carbon pilot projects, and policy reforms. The bank will continue to help Turkmenistan develop long-term decarbonization plans and reduce methane emissions. The ADB will also support the development of sustainable and integrated transport networks focusing on railways along crucial trade corridors. Recognizing the critical role of the private sector in driving inclusive economic growth in Turkmenistan, the ADB will help build an export-oriented private sector and continue supporting domestic financial institutions, including improving access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises targeting export markets. To support human capital development, the ADB will help reform the country’s healthcare sector to improve access, quality, and the range of services.

Green hydrogen Green Energy ADB Environment Economy EBRD Energy

EBRD to Support Pilot Project for Renewable Hydrogen in Uzbekistan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will finance Central Asia's first renewable hydrogen production project in Uzbekistan. The project includes the installation of a 20 MW electrolyzer and constructing a new 52 MW wind farm. The EBRD is providing a $65 million (€58 million) financing package to ACWA Power UKS Green H2, which is developing, designing, constructing, and operating the facility. This company is jointly owned by ACWA Power and Uzkimyosanoat (UKS), a large state-owned chemical holding company. Financing includes a $55 million senior loan from the EBRD and $10 million in concessional financing from Canada through the High Impact Partnership on Climate Change Special Fund (HIPCA). The EBRD also plans to provide an equity bridge loan of up to $5.5 million (€4.9 million) and up to $5.5 million (€4.9 million) for the project. The project, supported by the Japan-EBRD Cooperation Fund, will help replace “grey” hydrogen, derived from natural gas and widely used in producing ammonia fertilizers in Uzbekistan, with renewable hydrogen. The latter is recognized as a critical alternative for decarbonizing the fertilizer sector. The facility is expected to make up to 3,000 tons of hydrogen annually, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 22,000 tons. The Bank also noted that Uzbekistan, the leading recipient of EBRD financing in Central Asia, has already received about €5 billion under 164 projects, most of which support private entrepreneurship. The Times of Central Asia has previously written that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced the launch of a five-year partnership strategy with Uzbekistan from 2024 to 2028. The strategy will support Uzbekistan's reforms in promoting the country's transition to a green economy, supporting private sector development and competitiveness, and stimulating investment in economic capital.

Women entrepreneurs Loans & Grants ADB Agriculture Economy

ADB Gives Grant to Support Women in Tajikistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $17.5 million in grant assistance to improve women's agricultural skills and food security in Tajikistan. The project, which aims to support women farmers, will cover six districts in Khatlon province (Bokhtar, Farkhor, Kulyab, Panj, Shahritus, and Vose), the country's largest agricultural region. ADB's Director General for Central and West Asia, Eugene Zhukov, said the bank views women as critical agents of change, and the project aims to increase their role in agriculture. The project will provide women access to modern resources, including drying plants, greenhouses, water-saving technologies, and training in financial management and production technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on climate-resilient farming practices to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts such as drought and heat stress. The project will also establish small-scale crop processing and storage centers to increase the value of crops in the market. In addition, the project will create digital platforms for the training and trading of agricultural products. It is also expected to address social problems faced by women, such as gender-based violence. Under the guidance of the Women and Family Committee, a shelter offering counseling, a referral system, and training and entrepreneurship opportunities will be opened. ADB has supported Tajikistan for 26 years, serving as the country's largest donor. During this time, Tajikistan has received over $2.6 billion from ADB, of which more than $2 billion was provided through grants. Since 2018, the country has received the bank's financial assistance exclusively on a grant basis.

Finance Investment ADB HPP

ADB Grants $71 million for Business Reforms and HPP Reconstruction in Tajikistan

As reported by the Avesta Information Agency, Minister of Finance of Tajikistan, Faiziddin Kahkhorzade, and Shani Campbell, the permanent representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the country, have signed contracts for two grants totaling $71 million. The first grant of $50 million is aimed at improving Tajikistan's business environment, including digitization, reforms to boost exports, improved infrastructure management, and increased financial transparency. Small and medium-sized enterprises will also be supported in adapting to climate change. The second grant of $21 million will replace the fourth unit at the Head HPP located near the city of Levakant (formerly Sarband) in Tajikistan's Khatlon region, which failed in 2019. As a result of the upgrade, the installed capacity of hydropower is expected to increase from 240 megawatts in 2012 to 274 megawatts by 2026. Since Tajikistan became a member of the ADB in 1998, the bank has provided more than $2.6 billion in assistance to the country, including more than $2 billion in grants. These funds were directed to the development of transport and energy infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and other important sectors of the economy.