Issues related to expanding cooperation between Tajikistan and South Korea in the transport sector were discussed during a meeting in Seoul between Minister of Transport of Tajikistan Azim Ibrohim and So Jong-hwa, executive director and head of the EDCF Operations Group at the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

Accordign to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport,  during the meeting the sides discussed securing long-term financing for priority infrastructure projects and strengthening future cooperation in the sector.

Ibrohim said Tajikistan attaches great importance to developing its partnership with Republic of Korea, viewing the country as a reliable partner and a source of modern technology, engineering expertise and long-term infrastructure financing.

He said one of Tajikistan’s strategic goals is to develop a modern transport system, overcome the challenges associated with being landlocked and establish efficient transit routes connecting Central Asia with South Asia.

Cooperation between Tajikistan and South Korea through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, or EDCF, has already produced several projects, including a feasibility study for construction of the Dushanbe metro, electrification of the Pakhtaobod-Vahdat railway section and development of a logistics center in Kulob.

Four projects with a combined value of about $4.9 million currently are being implemented with grant support from the Republic of Korea. They include a feasibility study for the Jaloliddini Balkhi-Panji Poyon railway, development of the Kulob logistics center and continued work on the Dushanbe metro project.

The Tajik side highlighted the importance of the Dushanbe metro and Jaloliddini Balkhi-Panji Poyon railway projects and expressed hope that they would be designated as priority EDCF projects and receive the support needed to move from feasibility studies to implementation.

The Jaloliddini Balkhi-Panji Poyon railway project is expected to expand Tajikistan’s transport links, create new opportunities for cargo transit and support trade between Central and South Asia.

The sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue cooperation and strengthen coordination to secure long-term financing and advance Tajikistan’s priority transport projects.