To fortify bilateral ties and bolster regional cooperation, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan underscored the imperative of augmenting practical collaboration with Kyrgyzstan during the Tashkent International Investment Forum held on May 2.
President Mirziyoyev convened with Akylbek Zhaparov, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Head of the Presidential Administration, on the sidelines of the Tashkent Investment Forum (TIIF). During this encounter, Zhaparov conveyed the warm regards of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, underscoring the depth of diplomatic camaraderie between the two nations.
Central to the discussions were avenues for further enhancing the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The two leaders deliberated on the broad spectrum of cooperation encompassing trade, industrial collaboration, energy, transportation, and logistics. Additionally, they explored avenues for activating interregional ties and fostering cultural and humanitarian exchanges, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations across various sectors.
Of particular focus were the practical dimensions of key infrastructure projects such as the Kambarata Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP)-1 and the "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" railway construction initiative. These projects, emblematic of cross-border cooperation and connectivity, hold the promise of driving economic growth and fostering regional integration.
Moreover, as both nations gear up for forthcoming high-level engagements, deliberations centered on shaping a new agenda for multilateral partnership. The discussions underscored the commitment of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to harnessing collective efforts to address shared challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities for mutual benefit.
The proposed railway project connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan spans 454 kilometers, with the aim of linking the railway systems of China and Uzbekistan via Kyrgyzstan's territory. Subsequently, it seeks to integrate with the European railway network through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey. Preparatory procedures for the $8bn project are nearing completion, indicating that construction will soon commence.
Currently, preparatory work is underway at Kambarata HPP-1 to supply electricity to the facility under construction. Access roads, transportation tunnels, and bridges are being constructed on the right bank of the Naryn River to facilitate access to the construction site of the main structures of the HPP and relocate the camp for hydro construction workers.
Over $20mn has been allocated from the Kyrgyz republican budget for preparatory work. The total project cost, as estimated in a feasibility study conducted a decade ago, is approximately $3bn. However, the exact cost of all works will be determined after updating the existing feasibility study, for which funding has been provided by the World Bank. The projected construction timeline for the new hydropower plant is nine years, with the commissioning of the first hydroelectric unit expected within seven years, contingent upon continuous financing of the construction process.
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