DUSHANBE, January 17, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide €22.2 million within the next two years for rehabilitation of power supply networks in the city of Khujand, the capital of Sughd province and the Bobojonghafurov district (Sughd province).

Deputy Minister of Finance, Ruhullo Hakimov, remarked this on January 17 while speaking at a session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament).

According to him, the funds will improve energy efficiency in the power system and enhance power services to customers.   

Barqi Tojik power holding (Tajik state-owned power utility company) will use the funds to purchase new electricity meters, meter-reading and automated billing systems the will reduce losses and improve power supplies, the deputy minister noted. 

The investments will also result in rehabilitation of the power supply networks in the city of Khujand and the Bobojonghafruov district, Hakimov added.

Since the beginning of its operations in Tajikistan, the EBRD has reportedly committed more than 380 million U.S. dollars in over 73 projects.