(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Asian
Development bank (ADB) is joining forces with the Turkmenistan
Railways Agency to roll up their sleeves on the Trans-Turkmenistan
Railway Modernization Project, which aims to give a facelift and
electrify a 1,147-km railway line stretching from Turkmenabat to
Mary, Ashgabat, and Turkmenbashi, ADB's Country Director for
Turkmenistan Artur Andrysiak told Trend in an exclusive interview.
“This significant project will facilitate the modernization and
electrification of the 1,147 km East-West railway line connecting
the port city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, the capital city
of Ashgabat, the major junction at Mary, and Turkmenabat near the
Uzbekistan border,” Andrysiak explained.
The project is a key component of the Central Asia Regional
Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridors 2, 3, and 6. It is crucial
for Central Asian trade and trans-Eurasian transit between China
and Europe, as well as the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
“The project will play a critical role in enhancing
Turkmenistan's regional connectivity and improving its strategic
positioning within international supply chains,” Andrysiak
noted.
Phase 1, expected to be completed by 2025, will modernize the
171 km section between Ashgabat and Dushak. This phase will include
double tracking where necessary to meet demand and constructing a
concrete sleeper plant. ADB will also assist in scaling up the
operational and institutional capacity of the Turkmenistan Railways
Agency.
“Set to begin in 2026/27, Phase 2 will focus on the Dushak–Mary
section and the electrification of the Ashgabat–Mary line, aiming
to contribute to decarbonizing Turkmenistan's rail network by
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Later phases will cover the
modernization of the railway sections from Mary to Turkmenabat and
from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi,” Andrysiak added.
The project is expected to significantly boost the efficiency,
reliability, and safety of Turkmenistan's rail transport,
supporting both domestic and international supply chains.
Supporting green and energy-efficient
projects
ADB is committed to supporting Turkmenistan's transition to a
more sustainable and climate-resilient economy through various
green and energy-efficient projects.
“Under the Country Partnership Strategy for Turkmenistan,
2024-2028, ADB will support the country in its efforts to become
more sustainable, climate-resilient, and competitive,” Andrysiak
stated.
ADB's focus will be on green transformation across all sectors,
including energy, transport, agriculture, water resources, and
urban development.
“Specifically, ADB will prioritize reducing emissions and
promoting low-carbon development across these sectors. This
includes bolstering Turkmenistan's national power grid, increasing
its efficiency and resilience to climate change, and enabling
greater integration of renewable energy sources. This includes
additional financing to improve the grid and enhance Turkmenistan's
ability to export electricity to regional markets,” he
explained.
ADB is also working with the Ministry of Energy on the
Turkmenistan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project, which
aims to upgrade selected gas-powered electricity plants to
closed-cycle operations and incorporate renewable energy
components.
“The bank is supporting the development of a roadmap for
low-carbon transition in Turkmenistan's power sector to enhance
energy efficiency and expand renewable energy, thereby attracting
further investment,” he added.
ADB provides technical assistance, including support for
building solar power capacity and evaluating wind potential for
renewable energy. The electrification of the railway network is
expected to contribute to the decarbonization of Turkmenistan's
transport sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance
overall sustainability.
Enhancing the competitiveness of
SMEs
The bank plans to enhance the competitiveness of small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkmenistan through targeted
financial and technical support.
“Following the Country Partnership Strategy for Turkmenistan,
2024-2028, ADB will support the government's efforts to increase
the economy's competitiveness through diversification and private
sector development,” Andrysiak explained.
A key component of this support is the Building Capacity of SMEs
Exporters Project, aimed at enhancing the capacity of SMEs involved
in export activities.
“The project will increase credit availability for these
businesses, improve SME credit underwriting and risk management,
and incorporate climate change considerations into the banking
sector,” Andrysiak noted.
Additionally, ADB will provide knowledge support and capacity
building to improve the business environment, reduce the dominant
role of state-owned enterprises, and foster private sector
development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“ADB is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and Economy
on a comprehensive diagnostic study to identify opportunities and
restrictions in private sector participation and PPPs. As part of
this initiative, the bank is also developing a roadmap for PPPs to
create a more conducive working environment for private sector
operations,” Andrysiak said.
According to the country director, the bank is prepared to
invest in the private sector and support innovative opportunities,
aiming to strengthen financial access for SMEs, improve the
regulatory framework, and stimulate private sector growth.
Enhancing healthcare education in
Turkmenistan
Healthcare education in Turkmenistan is also a focus for the
bank, with plans to enhance it by establishing a state-of-the-art
nursing college in Ashgabat as part of the Improving Nursing
Quality and Capacity Project.
“ADB is working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry
to prepare the Improving Nursing Quality and Capacity Project. This
initiative will help establish a cutting-edge nursing college in
Ashgabat,” he said, highlighting the project's importance for
improving healthcare standards.
The country director added that the Improving Nursing Quality
and Capacity Project is a central component of ADB's broader human
capital development efforts in Turkmenistan.
“With this project, the bank is investing in the health sector
to improve access, quality, and range of healthcare services. This
includes reforms aimed at strengthening medical education and
building human resources for health,” Andrysiak explained.
Additionally, ADB is fostering international collaboration
between universities and schools in the health and education
sectors, enabling knowledge sharing and skills development.
“These efforts align with Turkmenistan's national economic
strategy, which focuses on integrating innovative technology and
expertise into various sectors,” he said.
Andrysiak concluded that by investing in education and
professional training, ADB aims to equip the workforce with the
skills necessary to adapt to economic changes and challenges,
thereby contributing to the country's long-term development
goals.
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