DUSHANBE , January 24, Asia-Plus -- Senior representatives from the Transport Ministry gave a news conference on January 23 to report on the results of work carried by the ministry in 2005.   .

During the news conference it was noted that Tajikistan ’s rolling stock was in a poor state.  Deputy Transport Minister, Khudoyor Khudoyorov speaking to journalists said: “Some 80 percent of the country’s rolling stock has outlived its usefulness and it is necessary to buy new carriages.”  He added that annually, Tajik Railways bought two carriages costing US$800,000 each, “but it is not enough.” 

“Enhancement of Tajikistan ’s transportation sector requires considerable investments,” noted the Tajik transportation official, “For this purpose, the Ministry of Transport is cooperating with many international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank (WB), OPEC and the Kuwaiti Fund.”   

According to him, due to this cooperation three investment projects were completed in 2005 – the construction of the road Shkev-Zighar, highway from Qurghon Teppa via Danghara to Kulob, as well as rehabilitation of the road Dusti-Panji Poyon and Dushanbe-Khujand-Buston-Chanak, etc.