DUSHANBE, September 29, 2014, Asia-Plus -- The Exchange of Notes took place today afternoon between the Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan Mr. Takashi Kamada and the First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Ms. Ozoda Emomali regarding the implementation of a project at Dushanbe International Airport.

Based on the Exchange of Notes, the Senior Vice-President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr. Hideaki Domichi and the Minister for Finances of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Abdusalom Qurbonov signed the Grant Agreement for the Dushanbe International Airport Improvement Project.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tajikistan Office notes that under this Project, the Government of Japan extends 1.9 billion Japanese Yen (equivalent for 18.6 million USD at current rate) to the Government of Tajikistan, through JICA, for the construction of cargo terminal and installation of Instrumental Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Lighting System (PALS) at Dushanbe International Airport.

Tajikistan is a landlocked country and aviation plays a vital role for it in terms of movement of passengers and goods, as well as for connecting it with other countries.

Between 2009 and 2013, the number of passengers who used Dushanbe International Airport increased by 15 to 18 percent annually, and the amount of cargo handled also increased.  While there is a growing need for safe, efficient airport operation, flight cancellations and delays occur due to heavy fog and other adverse weather conditions in the airport vicinity, making installation of the air navigation safety equipment needed for safe air operation an urgent issue.  Degradation of the cargo terminal, constructed about 50 years ago, is serious, making it difficult to control the temperature and handle large-sized cargo, and so improvement of the cargo terminal is a priority for supporting goods distribution in Tajikistan.

The project will provide a safe landing system for aircraft and improve the cargo infrastructure, which is expected to improve the safe operation of aircraft and the distribution of goods.  In addition to this project, JICA is implementing aviation security training for employees at Dushanbe International Airport, providing inclusive support for efficient operation and improved safety and reliability at the airport.