DUSHANBE, August 26, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon has inaugurated the rehabilitated highway connecting Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan through the Rasht Valley (eastern Tajikistan).

An official opening of the Dushanbe-Rasht-Jirgatol-Saritash highway took place today morning, according to the presidential press service.

The Dushanbe – Kyrgyz-border Road Rehabilitation Project was implemented under financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  Investment into this road project reduced Tajikistan’s isolation from the neighboring markets.  The road is part of a network in Central Asia that directly links Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.  It is also part of a larger network providing links to the ocean ports of Iran and Pakistan to the south, and to the Russian Federation into the north.  The road also serves as the only substantial link between Dushanbe and the Rasht Valley.

Speaking at the highway-inauguration ceremony, the head of state noted that a 20-kilometer road from the administrative center of Rasht district to the settlement of Navobod would be rehabilitated under financial support of the Asian Development Bank.

Today, the president also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of next building of the branch of Dushanbe State Teachers’ Training University in Gharm, the administrative center of Rasht district.  More than 9 million somoni have been allocated from the national budget for construction of that building.

In Gharm, the head of state also addressed a meeting of regional administrators and met with local residents, the source added.

President Rahmon will also visit Jirgatol district today.