DUSHANBE (Sputnik) – The seventh bridge connecting Tajikistan and Afghanistan will be financed by the European Union that is ready to donate 16 million euro ($18 million) for that purpose, Mahbuba Abdulloeva, the press secretary of the EU Delegation to Tajikistan, told Sputnik.
The bridge will connect the Farkhor District of Tajikistan with the northeastern Afghan province of Takhar.
“The project will be implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation and PATRIP Foundation, its budget amounts to 16 million euro donated by the European Union. The project will be implemented within five years,” Abdulloeva said.
The bridge will replace an existing ferry crossing. The project also implies reconstruction of roads and stabilization of banks of the Panj river.
“The project is expected to boost development of the local private sector and markets promoting peace, sustainability and easing trade procedures in the region,” Abdulloeva said.
There are currently six bridges connecting Tajikistan and Afghanistan with five of the having been constructed by the Aga Khan Foundation.
