DUSHANBE, July 24, 2012, Asia-Plus - Work on implementation of the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Trade and Transmission Project (CASA 1000) will start at the end of 2013, Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on July 23.According to him, this issue was discussed at a two-day meeting of the Inter-Governmental Council for CASA-1000 Project that took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 17-18 this year.

The meeting was attended by the power ministers of the four member countries – Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the World Bank (WB), USAID, Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and other financial institutions as well as representatives of Russia’s RAO YeES.

“We have determined our further actions on this project,” said the minister. “There is problem with financing the project, and therefore, we have invited many donors to attend the meeting and part of them could participate in the project.”

Meanwhile, The Express Tribune (Pakistan) reported that delegations from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, World Bank, USAID, Islamic Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation and the Arab Bank participated in the conference.

The World Bank representative reportedly stated that the Bank is providing all financial, technical, coordination and secretarial assistance for Casa 1000. World Bank has further proposed that project construction start by February 2014, the representative informed delegates. All procedural requirements like bidding, hiring of consultants will be completed by that time, he affirmed.

Afghan minister Ismail Khan promised complete security for the project; while, in his opening statement.

Tajik minister Gul Sherali stated that all parties are diligently working to implement the Casa 1000 project, the Express Tribune reported.

The Gulf Today reported that a delegation from Russia also made a presentation, reiterating their desire to provide $500 million for the project.

The meeting resulted in signing of a protocol by the power of the four countries.

The project is expected to bring tremendous social and economic development in the lives of people of both the Central Asian and South Asian regions and will open new eras for prosperity and development in the region.