The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has signed an agreement with the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan to provide technical assistance for the Bishkek–Kuntuu–Belogorka–Suusamyr Highway Construction project. This initiative aims to develop a preliminary feasibility study for an alternative highway linking Bishkek with southern and western regions of the country.
Under the agreement, the EDB will allocate up to $200,000 from its Technical Assistance Fund (TAF) to finance the study. This project aligns with the EDB’s Development Strategy and the Bank’s country strategy for Kyrgyzstan, contributing to the Eurasian Transport Framework’s overarching goals of enhancing regional connectivity and boosting transit potential.
“The Bishkek–Kuntuu–Belogorka–Suusamyr highway project is a vital part of the Eurasian Transport Framework. It will strengthen transport links between Kyrgyzstan’s economic hubs and enhance the transit appeal of the country’s highways for neighboring nations. This initiative underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting projects throughout their lifecycle, from conception to implementation,” Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, stated.
The proposed highway offers significant strategic, economic, and social benefits. The alternative route will alleviate congestion on the heavily used Bishkek–Osh highway, which handles an average of 5,000–18,000 vehicles daily. Once completed, the new route will be 164 km shorter, improving access to mineral deposits, stimulating tourism, and facilitating trade.
“This public-private partnership project will ease traffic on the Bishkek–Osh highway, provide an alternative route to the south, and support economic growth. The project will also generate new jobs during both construction and operation phases, while boosting tourism and trade,” Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan, Bekzhan Rysmendeev, noted.
The highway project is a component of the EDB’s broader Eurasian Transport Framework, which aims to develop a robust network of international transport corridors along East-West and North-South axes.
The EDB is a multilateral development institution with a charter capital of $7 billion. It focuses on fostering economic integration and sustainable development among its member countries. The Bank’s portfolio emphasizes transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, and manufacturing, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles.
The EDB’s Technical Assistance Fund supports investment projects aimed at promoting economic growth, creating an institutional foundation, and enabling project preparation and development.
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