ADB pledges $130m in aid for Afghan roads

KABUL $130 million in aid package to help the county improve its dilapidated road networks.

An agreement to the effect was signed on Tuesday between Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi and ADB country director to Afghanistan Thomas Panella in Kabul.

Hakimi said the aid would be spent on capacity-building of railway officials, developing road infrastructure, increasing facilities on transit routes and constructing a 108-kilometre road from Baharak to Ishkashim districts in northeastern Badakhshan province.

The minister thanked ADB for its continued assistance to Afghanistan and assured the bank of transparency in projects during their implementation. The minister said the Public Works Ministry would implement the road projects. 

It will be the fourth installment of ADB’s assistance for Afghanistan’s infrastructure development, explained the minister, who added earlier ADB assistance had helped in completing several projects in the country.

Thomas Panella said they would support a unified strategy on development of transportation system in Afghanistan.

The bank has so far provided $1.2 billion in grant to Afghanistan for construction of roads and railway lines. 

nh/ma

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