DUSHANBE, May 13, 2016, Asia-Plus – Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon today unanimously vote for ratification of an agreement between the Government of Tajikistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on financing public transport in Khujand, the capital of Sughd province.

Speaking at the session, Deputy Finance Minister, Jamshed Nourmuhammadiyon, said the EBRD would provide a loan of 17.4 million U.S. dollars in two tranches to the municipal company in charge of all modes of public transport, State Communal Enterprise (SCE) Khujand Public Transport, under a sovereign guarantee.  

Besides, an investment grant totaling 8.6 million U.S. dollars for this project will be provided by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund and an international donor, Nourmuhammadiyon noted.

 The EBRD will also provide 840,000 U.S. dollars in a form of technical assistance, Tajik deputy finance minister noted.

The agreement was reportedly signed in December last year, and under this project, the Bank is financing the purchase of up to 100 new low-floor buses for Khujand.  The financing will also enable the city to finance the modernization of the depot and the supply of maintenance equipment, and implement a new ticketing system.