The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) will provide a grant to the Kyrgyz Temir Zholu National Company under the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic to prepare a preliminary feasibility study for the investment project to construct the Balykchy – Cholpon-Ata railway.
Azamat Sakiev, General Director of Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, and Iaroslav Mandron, Vice Chairman of the EDB Management Board, have signed a technical assistance agreement for the preparation of the preliminary feasibility study for the construction of the Balykchy – Cholpon-Ata railway in Kyrgyzstan.
Iaroslav Mandron, Vice Chairman of the EDB Management Board, commented: “The EDB is actively working with the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Transport and Communications and Kyrgyz Temir Zholu to expand its involvement in the country’s transport sector. To date, we have agreed to participate in three priority projects. The new Balykchy – Cholpon-Ata railway section is crucial not only for building a robust domestic transport system but also for advancing international logistics. The project will lay the groundwork for integrating the railway with Tamchy Airport, increasing tourist traffic and freight traffic. The preliminary feasibility study is a key strategic step that will enable the parties to progress from intentions to concrete implementation mechanisms for a project estimated at approximately US $500 million.”
The preliminary feasibility study will:
conduct a technical and economic comparison of various project implementation options;
identify the optimal construction scenario;
develop a high-level financial and economic model for the project; and
formulate recommendations for implementation and further financing.
This initiative aims to enhance tourist and cargo rail connectivity in the Issyk-Kul region, linking its resort areas with the railway networks of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The project will also create opportunities for developing mineral deposits and expanding freight transportation by establishing reliable logistics routes.
