Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (FNA)- Tajikistan has entrusted Iranian contractors with the construction of Sangtudeh 2 dam and hydropower plant.
The proposition has been taken in the direction of the policy for boosting mutual trade, economic, cultural, and political relations.
Iranian contractors have had an active presence in Tajikistan’s energy projects in recent years so that Anzab (Esteqlal) tunnel which is considered as the ‘manifestation of the Tajik nation’s old-age wish’ was constructed by Iranian Sabir Company in 2006 costing $39 million, Tehran Times reported.
Negotiations between Iran and Tajikistan for the construction of Sangtudeh 2 dam and power plant date back to 2002. The agreement came into force by inking a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a joint company by the energy ministries of the two sides.
As per the agreement, the Sangtudeh 2 power plant project would be put into operation by 2011 costing $256 million of which $180 million will be financed by Iran.
Iran’s Sabir Company also won a tender for implementing the second and the third phase of the Shagon-Zighar road construction project valued at $46 million. A letter of agreement between the Iranian company and the Tajik Ministry of Transport and Communications was signed in October 2007.
The Islamic Development Bank will finance the project.
The Shagon-Zighar road is part of the Dushanbe-Kulob-Darvoz-Khorog-Kulma- Karakorum Highway (KKH), which is of significant importance for Tajikistan.
Meantime, Iran and Tajikistan have decided to set up three joint factories in the fields of producing low-watt lamps, tractor manufacturing and transformer.
Tajik Minister of Energy and Industry Gul Sherali noted that some agreements have been inked in this respect and the two countries representatives will follow up the newly-signed agreements in near future, IRNA reported.
Referring to the two countries’ cooperation, he called for expansion of bilateral ties in all fields.
Sherali also appreciated the Iranian specialists in constructing the Sangtudeh 2 and Anzab Tunnel power plants in Tajikistan.
He added that the Tajik government is mulling over construction of more power plants across the country, and expressed the hope that Iran-Tajikistan cooperation would continue in this respect.
