Central Asia improves ailing road infrastructure
BISHKEK (TCA) — Well-developed infrastructure is a critical factor in economic development, international experts say. Motor roads in Central Asia require significant repairs, the OECD Central Asian Analytical Network reports, adding that 60% of roads in Kyrgyzstan, 54% in Kazakhstan, 48% in Tajikistan and 23% in Uzbekistan do not have asphalt or concrete cover. The Central Asian states impose their infrastructural hopes on China's One Belt, One Road initiative, in which Central Asia is of key importance. But it should not be forgotten that the growth of public external debt (PED) to China is rapid there, especially in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, where the PED growth is exceeding the safe level, which imposes certain risks and obligations on bilateral cooperation. According to the Global Competitiveness Index for 2017/18 presented by the World Economic Forum, Tajikistan ranks 70th out of 137 world economies in terms of the road quality. The country scored 4.1 out of 7 points, and ranked the highest in Central Asia above Kazakhstan (115th) and Kyrgyzstan (122nd). No ranking was provided for Uzbekistan. Most roads in Tajikistan were rebuilt after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The main exception is in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO), where Soviet-era roads are in poor condition, Asia-Plus IA reported. To compare, Kazakhstan held the 107th place a year ago. This year, Russia rose to 114th place from the 123rd in the previous survey. The WEF experts also noted the trend towards improving the quality of roads in Kyrgyzstan. The transport infrastructure is actively developing in the country, Economy Minister of Kyrgyzstan Oleg Pankratov said. In 2017, 566.7 kilometers of public roads were repaired. About 540 kilometers are planned to repair this year. Within investment projects, construction of 146 kilometers of highways will be completed to connect international transport corridors. Toll roads in Kyrgyzstan In Central Asian countries, roads are the main means of communication. The states allocate some funds for their construction and maintenance, but they are critically lacking. To find money, the governments decided to introduce toll roads. Since 2019, fees for the use of certain roads may be introduced in Kyrgyzstan, and the Minister of Transport and Roads is currently harmonizing regulatory documents, Minister Jamshitbek Kalilov said. To reduce the burden on the state budget and as part of the road development strategy, the Transport Ministry intends to introduce 26 kilometers of toll roads in 2018 and to bring this figure to 500 kilometers by 2025. The Kubaky–Kochkor road in the Naryn province, the North–South alternative road and the Bishkek–Tokmak bypass route will be the toll ones. Currently, all roads in Kyrgyzstan are free, except for the tunnel at the Too-Ashuu Pass at the Bishkek–Osh road. To reduce the personal participation in accepting payments for road travel, and therefore the possibility of corruption, the Transport Ministry installs automated systems for accepting payments at two checkpoints at the Bishkek–Osh highway. Payment will be made through the bank payment systems. Toll highways in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan plans to increase the share of toll roads...
