Afghan-Tajik 'Friendship Bridge' Inaugurated

26 August 2007: Sher Khan Port

A multimillion dollars 'friendship bridge,' connecting Central Asian neighbours Afghanistan and Tajikistan, opened here on Sunday.

Presidents Hamid Karzai and Emomali Rakhmonov inaugurated at 10.15am (local time) the key bridge, expected to revive ancient trade links between South and Central Asian nations.

Also present on the occasion were US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Assistant Secretary for Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A. Boucher, Ambassador William Wood and senior officials from the two countries.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Rakhmonov hoped all-round cooperation between Kabul and Dushanbe would enormously grow with the construction of the $37 million bridge, 672 metres long and 11 metres wide.

In addition to bringing economic prosperity to border areas, the bridge would provide a fillip to trade in the region, said Rakhmonov, who promised his government would build a huge complex with requisite facilities for traders.

"In my opinion, Tajik-Afghan relations have acquired a strength seen never before, as a result of this bridge," remarked Rakhmonov, who asked border guards on both sides to prevent extremists and drug traffickers using the link.

The neighbours have pledged to set up free economic zones on both sides of the bridge and ease customs as well as visa regimes to encourage trade in a region.

President Karzai also spotlighted the significance of what he called a 'friendship bridge' that would facilitate the movement of people between the friendly countries besides lending regional trade a much-needed boost.

"If we grant entrepreneurs and businessmen the necessary facilities, trade synergies will emerge to the mutual benefit of our two countries. In fact, the whole region stands to gain from enhanced trade opportunities," the president added.

US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, referring to the bridge constructed across River Ammo (also called River Panj), said it would help in bringing civilisations closer. He likened the project - executed in more than two years and characterised as a US gift to the region - to the famous Silk Route of yore.

The bridge was reflective of American efforts at promoting intra-regional trade, the secretary observed, saying: "It is part of the promises we held out to Afghanistan."

Gutierrez was confident the bridge would become the widest connection between Afghanistan and the rest of the world, and prompt trade and investment flow to the region.

In an exclusive chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, Public Works Minister Sohrab Ali Safari said: "We plan to expand highways linking Kabul with northern provinces. In anticipation of greater transport flows, we will also widen the Salang Tunnel."

Schoolchildren, standing on either side of the bridge and clad in traditional Tajik dresses, showered rose petals on Karzai and Rakhmonov as the two leaders walked to cut the ribbon.

Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Public Works Minister Sohrab Ali Safari, National Security Advisor Zalmay Rasul and governors of several border provinces participated in the ceremony.

Providing the first-ever overland trade route between Sher Khan Port in the Kunduz province and the Qumsangir district of the Khatlon province, the bridge is expected to halve the distance between Tajikistan and Pakistani as well as Iranian seaports.

Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the main beneficiaries of the bridge, built so as to withstand earthquakes and the river's swift currents. But some quarters in Tajikistan fear it will facilitate the smuggling of drugs and give extremists an easy route for cross-border movement.

Source: Pajhwok Afghan News