Yesterday, the head of the Ministry of Transport of the Kyrgyz Republic, K. Sultanov, met with a delegation from the Export-Import Bank of China led by Zhang Li, Program Coordinator of the Department of Preferential Lending of the Export-Import Bank of China. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues related to the financing of the construction of the second phase of the Alternative North-South Road. In particular, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic K. Sultanov noted that the Export-Import Bank of China is currently playing a leading role in the development of the road transport sector in Kyrgyzstan. To date, we have implemented and are implementing projects totaling 805 million US dollars. Much of this is due to the support of the Export-Import Bank, which has allowed us to complete large-scale projects such as the rehabilitation of the Osh-Sarytash-Irkeshtam road and a section of the Bishkek-Naryn-Torugart road. Currently, projects for the construction of the North-South and Osh-Batken-Isfana roads are underway.
Furthermore, the head of the Ministry of Transport of the Kyrgyz Republic, K. Sultanov, emphasized that 400 million US dollars have been allocated by the Export-Import Bank for the construction of the first phase of the North-South road. This project is of particular importance for our country and the region as a whole, providing improved interregional connections in the future. Construction work began in the spring of 2014. A principal agreement on financing Phase 2 of the Alternative Road project has been reached with the Export-Import Bank, but there are still issues regarding the coordination and signing of the relevant documents. Given the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between our countries in the development of regional transport routes of mutual benefit, we hope that the construction of the alternative North-South road will continue, noted K. Sultanov.
The head of the delegation from the Export-Import Bank of China, Zhang Li, Program Coordinator of the Department of Preferential Lending of the Export-Import Bank of China, informed during the meeting that financing for the second phase of the Alternative North-South Road will be carried out according to the planned Framework Agreement to be signed between the Governments of China and Kyrgyzstan, as well as a dollar and yuan agreement to align the grant element. The Export-Import Bank of China will take all necessary measures to expedite the signing of the relevant documents for the opening of financing for the second phase of the Alternative North-South Road.
Information on the Project for the Construction of the Alternative North-South Road
Currently, the Bishkek-Osh road is the only route providing uninterrupted communication between the north and south of the country. In accordance with the instruction of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the construction of the alternative North-South road, ensuring continuous road transport communication and the safety of the country, the Ministry has completed the preparation of the feasibility study for the project, which is 433 km long. The total cost of the project is estimated at 850.0 million US dollars. It has been decided to construct the road according to the parameters of II technical category and to implement it in three phases:
Phase I
The donor for Phase 1 of the Project, amounting to 400 million US dollars, is the Export-Import Bank of China, involved by the Government of China as part of preferential financing for projects in the SCO member countries. The route, which is 154 km long, runs from the village of Kyzyl-Jyldyz to the village of Aral (km 183-195) and from the village of Kazarman to the city of Jalal-Abad (km 291 - 433). This section includes the construction of a tunnel, 3.7 km long. Construction work began in the spring of 2014.
Phase III
In order to ensure timely implementation, the Ministry has held a number of meetings and negotiations with the ADB, EBRD, EAEU, and AKG regarding the implementation of Phase 3 of the project, which is 183 km long and runs from the city of Balakchy to the village of Kyzyl-Jyldyz (km 0-183).
Sections 0-43 km and 64-159 km. The ADB has the capacity to allocate 100.0 million US dollars for the rehabilitation of the Aral-Kochkor section, with a grant component of up to 45%. Currently, the ADB is providing Technical Assistance, which will determine the scope of the project and the corresponding financing.
Section 159-183 km. The AKG has expressed interest in financing the section from 159 to 183 km in response to requests from the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Phase II
To date, the issue of financing Phase 2 of the project remains unresolved, covering the section from the village of Aral in the Jumgal district to the village of Kazarman in the Toguz-Toro district, with a length of 96 km and a cost of 298.8 million US dollars, including a second tunnel, 800 meters long.
It is planned that the donor for Phase II of the Project will be the Export-Import Bank of China, involved by the Government of China as part of preferential financing for projects in the SCO member countries.
Brief Description of the Project
Total length - 96 km;
Reconstruction of 32 km of existing road;
Construction of 64 km of new road.
Tunnel, 800 meters long;
Construction of 7 bridges;
II technical category;
Width of asphalt 9 meters and thickness 15 cm;
Total width of the road 15 m;
Load per axle 11.5 tons.
Construction period: 56 months.
Press Service of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic