Iran to render financial assistance to Tajikistan in construction of Anzob Tunnel

Iran will provide Tajikistan with $5 mln for constructing and putting into operation the Anzob Tunnel (3,372 meters above the sea level) that will make it possible to transport goods from Central Asia to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan via Tajikistan.

The Tajik Ministry of Economy and Trade said that during his visit to Tehran Tajik Minister of Economy and Trade Hakim Soliyev had reached an agreement according to which $25 mln would be allocated to Tajikistan for implementation of economic programs.

The construction of the Anzob Tunnel started in the Soviet times and stopped during the civil war in Tajikistan /1992-1997/ was resumed in 1997.

Constructors of the tunnel are to make it 3 kms long by the end of 2003. It is planned that the full length of the tunnel will be 5 kms.