DUSHANBE, August 27, Asia-Plus -- Afghan and Tajik leaders have inaugurated a new bridge across the Panj River consolidating permanent overland links between Tajikistan’s Panji Poyon in Qumsangir district of Khatlon and Afghanistan’s port of Sherkhon Bandar.

US Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez joined the Tajik and Afghan leaders at the opening ceremony that was held Sunday morning, presidential press service said.  

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said at the inaugurating ceremony that the bridge of friendship is of historic event.  He noted that the bridge would become an important link in the development of trade between the two countries.  The opening of this bridge provides a chance for boosting trade not only with Central Asian countries, but also with China, Russia and the Gulf countries, Tajik leader said.

At the same time, President Rahmon noted that the bridge should not be place for trafficking in drugs and weapons.  Everything must be done to ensure that the bridge not used by drug smugglers or people traffickers, the Tajik leader said.  

Tajik president noted that Afghanistan and Tajikistan had agreed to create free economic zones on both sides of the bridge.  Rahmon added that beginning from 2009, Tajikistan will increase electricity supplies to Afghanistan.    

For his part, Afghan president said he hoped the bridge would improve economic and trade cooperation between the countries and the region.  He said the bridge will not only connect the two friendly countries but also link the Central Asian region to South Asia.  Afghan leader added that the bridge would also serve for the prosperity of the two peoples.

Karzai also noted that laws of the two countries, in particular in the filed of regional trade, should be enhanced. 

The US secretary of commerce speaking at the ceremony welcomed the opening of the bridge, noting that it will be opened 24 hours a day with customs and border facilities on both sides. 

Mr. Gutierrez noted that the bridge would become an important factor to contribute to promoting regional commerce and security.  Like the Silk Road, which had been the key integrating factor of civilization in the past, the bridge becomes the point of intersection of trade routes and important factor of stability, according to him.  

The US secretary of commerce also expressed hope that customs and border services of the two countries will work maximally transparently that will also promote development.  He further added that potentials of development of countries are inexhaustible and the United States will remain reliable partner of these countries.

Official figures provided by the Tajik government say a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Afghanistan in 2006 amounted 425 million.  According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the bridge will allow bringing this figure to $50 million (including transit transportations from the third countries).     

The $37 million span has replaced an intermittent ferry service across the fast-flowing river.  The bridge offers a link to the outside world and it could turn Afghanistan into a major transit point for goods and link the whole of Central Asia to Pakistan’s port of Karachi.  

The United States hopes the bridge will consolidate permanent overland links between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, enhancing economic and commercial opportunities for both sides of the river and allowing goods and people to move across more easily.

The bridge, construction of which began almost two years ago, stands to benefit Tajikistan, where external trade has suffered from a lack of efficient and reliable overland trade routes.

An article “Bridge Connecting Tajikistan and Afghanistan Set to Open” by David Trilling, posted on the Eurasianet website said built to withstand earthquakes and the Panj River’s swift currents, the bridge contains 13,000 cubic meters of concrete procured from Tajikistan, as well as steal from Russia and Germany, said Brian Walls, a civilian who is overseeing the project on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers, according to the article.  

More than 600 local workers helped build the bridge, with Afghans now helping their Tajik counterparts complete the necessary customs infrastructure.   

The United States supplied most of the funding and know-how for the project.  Other major funders include Norway, with more than $900,000 towards the construction, the Government of Japan providing funds to complete the highway, which will connect the bridge with Dusti, administrative center of the Qumsangir district, and the European Union.  . 

The length of the bridge across the Panj River is 672 meters, and the width is 11.6 meters. The bridge is expected to transport more than 1,000 cars daily.