South Korea Launches $4 Million Railway Project in Tajikistan

As reported by Asia-Plus, the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed a memorandum of negotiations on the $4 million economical and technical development of the Jaloliddin Balkhi–Nizhniy Pyanj railway project. “The main goal of this project is to enter the market of South Asian countries—Afghanistan, Pakistan, India,” stated Azim Ibrahim, Minister of Transport of Tajikistan after explaining and that the railway will ensure the development of regional trade, help maintain the condition of roads, and reduce the burden and intensity of traffic on the streets. “If the project is successfully implemented, Tajikistan will become an attractive railway transit country," he continued. "And the increase in the volume of cargo and product transportation with neighbouring countries will prove very beneficial for Tajikistan and other countries in the region." Acting Ambassador of South Korea to the Republic of Tajikistan, Kim Jeon Sik, hailed the project as another step towards the country's progressive future and said that with direct access to the sea,  Tajikistan had the potential to become the main link in international cargo transportation. He closed by expressing his hope that South Korea’s first railway construction project in Central Asia would be completed within three years.