BISHKEK: The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad is essential and economically beneficial for geopolitical stability, said President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.
“This railroad is primarily needed not for others, but for us. We will establish a transit corridor between Europe and other countries, including China, via Central Asia. This is economically beneficial and very important for geopolitical stability,” Japarov said on Thursday.
According to the presidential press service he made the remarks at an event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kyrgyz Railways.
He added the implementation of this crucial project will lead Kyrgyzstan out of transport deadlock, linking almost four billion people, and expand the geography of transportation from Asia to Europe through Turkey to the Middle East, Iran and North Africa.
“Our north and south will be connected by rail. Heavy goods will be shipped across the country only by rail. This means significant fuel savings and maintaining the quality of our highways for the long term. Passengers will also have an opportunity to travel by rail,” Japarov said.
He went on to say the construction of the railroads will have an overall positive socio-economic impact on the development of the economy of Kyrgyzstan and will make a concrete contribution to expanding transport services for the local population, as well as upgrading and developing transport infrastructure.
According to estimates from the experts, annual cargo transportation along this railroad may touch 15 million tonnes, and the time for delivering goods to final customers will be reduced by seven days.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov in April said that the estimated cost of the construction of the railroad is around $8 billion.
