DOSHANBE (SW): The Central Asia-South Asia CASA-1000 power project was formally launched in Torsanzada City, Tajikistan on Thursday.
Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, speaking on the occasion, said that despite the fact that the region is engaged in fighting international terrorism, the regional countries have the potential to fully implement big economic projects.
Imam Ali Rahman, President of Tajikistan, Sooronbai Zheenbekov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan and Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan also attended the event.
The total cost of the project is nearly $ 1.17 billion out of which $ 526 million is funded by the World Bank.
Abdullah Abdullah said that this project could convey positive message to the world. He added that the implementation of such project was only a hope but with the firm determination of the member countries, the hope has been materialized.
He noted that CASA-1000 would be implemented with the support from donors like Islamic Development Bank and other donors like EBRD, USAID and UK/DFID.
He said that Afghanistan has proved its pivotal location as a connecting bridge between Central Asia and South Asia. He urged upon the project’s member countries to cooperate with Afghanistan in terms of ensuring the security for the implementation of the project.
Jawed Faisal, Deputy Spokesman for Chief Executive Officer, told Salam Watandar that the project would pass through six provinces and 23 districts in the country.
He said that Afghanistan could earn $ 45 million each year out of it.
The CASA-1000 involves building a 1,222-kilometer power transmission line to carry some 1,300 MW of electricity from hydropower plants in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan into Afghanistan (300 MW) and on to Peshawar in Pakistan (1,000 MW).
CASA-1000, which faces significant obstacles, is scheduled to be completed by 2018
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