DUSHANBE, June 17, 2013, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon, who is currently on his working visit to Sughd province, has held a number of meetings in Panjakent, the president’s official website reports.

Rahmon, in particular, visited the Bargigul Farm in Panjakent and got acquainted with achievements of local grain and potato producers.

He also visited military unit # 05170 of the Ministry of Defense (Deployed) in Panjakent.

The head of state also held a meeting with 55 orphaned children in the building of the Panjakent administration.  Rahmon gave presents to the children.

While in Panjakent, President Rahmon also familiarized himself with the process of rehabilitation of the Ayni-Panjakent road, which part of the project for rehabilitation of a road between Ayni-Panjakent and the Uzbek border.

We will recall that the Asian Development Bank announced last September that it is providing a $100 million grant to help Tajikistan upgrade the vital road Ayni-Panjakent-Uzbek border in northern Tajikistan.

The road is part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 6 that spans about 10,000 kilometers, linking Europe and the Russian Federation to the Middle East and South Asia.

The 113-kilometer road — part of the historic Silk Road — runs along the Zarafshon River through the Zarafshon Valley, crossing the Ayni and Panjakent districts before ending at the border with Uzbekistan.

Improvements to this road are expected to increase regional connectivity, reduce transport costs, and strengthen competitiveness.  This will also improve access to markets and social services for impoverished local communities; stimulate development of agriculture, tourism and mining industries that in return create job opportunities; and improve the region’s living standards.