Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government provides RMB 60 million grant for the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan Highway Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Project (Linked to Record ID#39989)

¥60M RMB

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Tajikistan
Country	Tajikistan
Start Date	Jan 01, 2006
End Date	Feb 21, 2027
Duration	7,721 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`40351`

Grant Description

As part of a set of high-level agreements signed at the June 15, 2006 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Chinese Government offered a RMB 60 million grant for the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan Highway Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Project.

This project was also supported by a $281.1 million preferential buyer’s credit (PBC) from the Export-Import Bank of China (captured via Record ID#39989).

Earlier, in March 2006, China and Tajikistan had signed a Memorandum of Understanding that stated the terms of preferential credits issuance for promotion of economic and social development of SCO members.

One of the financing projects identified was this road project.China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) was the contractor responsible for project implementation. Construction began on July 11, 2006. The construction period was planned to be 38 months. The highway was commissioned in 2010, but work continued on the Shahristan tunnel.

The project was wholly completed on October 27, 2012, with an opening ceremony for the Shahristan tunnel that was attended by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

The purpose of this project — also known as the 1st Stage of the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak Road Construction Project — was to reconstruct the 354 km highway connecting Dushanbe with Khujand, the center of the northern province, and the town of Chanak on the border with Uzbekistan.

The project also involved the construction of the 5253-meter Shahristan tunnel (at a cost of $88,424), the 1047-meter Dusti tunnel, the Maikhura tunnel, 39 big and small bridges, and 6 km of avalanche defenses.

The project reportedly reduced driving times from 12 hours to 4 hours and the Shahristan tunnel was reportedly the longest tunnel in Central Asia when it completed.

To help repay the loan and cover the costs of maintaining the road, the Tajik Government made the highway a toll road in 2010 and allowed the private company Innovative Road Solutions to collect tolls.

📋 Staff Comments

1. The Russian project title is реабилитацию автомобильной дороги «Душанбе – Чанак». The Chinese project title is 塔乌（乌兹别克斯坦）公路.

📚 Sources & References

SCO firms, banks expected to sign US$2 billion in deals
SCO businesses, banks to sign loans for US$2bn
China signs Tajik loan deals
President of Tajikistan Attends the Inaugural ceremony of the Chormaghzak Tunnel
China-built road improves Tajikistan's transport system
Repair Project of Tajikistan - Uzbekistan Highway
President of Tajikistan Attends the Opening Ceremony of SHAKHRISTAN Tunnel of Tajikistan–Uzbekistan Highway
Chairman Zhou Jichang of CCCC Inspects CRBC Tajikistan Office
China-built road improves Tajikistan's transport system
Tajikistan-Uzbekistan Highway, Реабилитация автодороги Душанбе-Чанак (гр.Узбекистан). В том числе: строительство тоннеля Дусти, тоннеля Шахристан
Tajikistan: Policy Notes on Public Expenditures
China as an Emerging Donor in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
THE GOVERNMENT MEDIUM - TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK FOR 2011- 2013, НА РАЗВИТИЕ ДОРОЖНОГО СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА И ТРАНСПОРТА В ТАДЖИКИСТАНЕ В ГОДЫ НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ (1991-2016 гг.)
The meeting of NBT management with China EXIM Bank took place at the National Bank of Tajikistan. Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.