News block
Published: 21 January 2014 г.
BISHKEK, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC (17 January 2014) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Kyrgyz government have signed a financing agreement for the implementation of the reconstruction of a section of the Bishkek-Osh road that will strengthen national and regional connectivity and promote inclusive growth.
The project is at the core of ADB’s inclusive growth objective, which forms part of the Country Partnership Strategy 2013–2017. The project will reconstruct and rehabilitate about 120 km of road between the capital Bishkek and the southern city of Osh. The road will improve access to services for communities living close by and enhance cross border connectivity as it forms part of a key regional economic corridor. The project will also assist the government in strengthening road maintenance and road safety practices.
“The road is part of CAREC Corridor 3, which connects the Russian Federation to South Asia via the Central Asian countries. Improving the road network is critical for inclusive growth and social development,” said Rie Hiraoka, Country Director of ADB’s Kyrgyz Resident Mission. “It will connect rural populations to urban centers bettering access to services and trade in domestic and regional markets.”
ADB will finance the reconstruction work of 52.5 km of road from Bishkek to Kara-Balta. Sections of the road carry over 40,000 vehicles per day with high pedestrian use. The overall cost of the project for ADB is $100 million, of which $35 million is a grant and $65 million is a loan.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.