The World Bank will provide $45m in funding for the second phase of the Central Asia Road Links (CARs) programme in Tajikistan.

The project, which will be undertaken from 2015 to 2020, intends to increase transport link between Tajikistan and neighbouring countries along important cross-border road connections in Sughd Oblast.

The governments of Central Asia started the multi-phase CARs programme to improve road operations and maintenance practices.

Phase I of the programme covers the Kyrgyz Republic and includes the rehabilitation of cross-border road links bordering Tajikistan in Batken Oblast.

"The project will expand opportunities for trade and increase the competitiveness of domestic products, leading to private sector growth and job creation."

The second phase will cover the rehabilitation of approximately 70km of cross-border road sections in Sughd Oblast connecting the road network of Tajikistan with that of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Kuchkak-Kim-Isfara-Guliston and the Dehmoy-Proletarsk-Madaniat border crossing points will be rebuilt, including the road to intermodal rail terminal in Proletarsk and Kanibadam-Patar border crossing point.

World Bank country manager for Tajikistan Patricia Veevers-Carter said: "Tajikistan is Central Asia’s least connected, most isolated country, with only limited regional and international connectivity, where road transport is often the only option given the alpine topography and small rail network.

"By financing the rehabilitation of cross-border road links in Sughd Oblast, which accounts for 40% of the country’s overall freight turnover, the project will expand opportunities for trade and increase the competitiveness of domestic products, leading to private sector growth and job creation."

The project will also support the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan to improve road operations and asset management practices.

The Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan will implement the CARs-2 project over a five-year period.