DUSHNBE, April 20, Asia-Plus - On Wednesday April 19, Tajik “Barqi Tojik” (Tajik electric system) opened joint-stock holding company  and Chinese power company “China Theban Electric Apparatus Stock Co (CTEAS) signed in Dushanbe two contracts worth totaling US$340 million on the construction of high-voltage electricity transmission lines in Tajikistan, Nozirjon Yodgori, a spokesman for Tajik Energy Ministry, said.   

The energy ministry spokesman said the documents were signed by Sharifkhon Samiyev, “Barqi Tojik” director general, and Lee Biang, top manager of the CTEAS company, which is the general contractor of the project. 

According to Yodgori, the sides agreed to build a 500-kW 350-kilometer electricity transmission line “South-North” linking Tajikistan ''s southern and northern regions and a 220-kW 93-kilometer line “Lolazor-Obi Mazor” in the Khatlon province.   

The energy ministry spokesman says the projects are worth $281 million and $59 million, respectively.

The total budget for these projects is US$349 million; of this amount, a US$340 million loan (95 percent of a total amount) will be provided by China ’s Exim Bank,  and the Tajik Government will finance 5 percent of the projects’ values.

Under the agreement the mentioned funds will be transferred to the general contractor’s account within 30 days after signing of the contracts.