ADB approves 109.5 mln USD in financing to Kyrgyzstan

MANILA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Thursday said it has approved 109.5 million U.S. dollars in financing to fund a road project around the Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyrgyzstan.

The Issyk-Kul Ring Road Improvement Project will construct 75.2 kilometers of the national road traversing the Barskoon to Karakol section of the Issyk-Kul Ring Road, which adjoins the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridor 1.

The ADB said the project will widen the two-lane roadway to four lanes to meet increasing traffic demand while incorporating climate-adaptation measures into the road design and construction materials.

Rest areas, bus stops, streetlights as well as safer access for pedestrians, will also be provided, the Manila-based bank said.

"Road transport is a major driver of economic growth in landlocked Kyrgyz Republic," said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov.

"By improving road conditions, this project will enable the safe and reliable movement of people and goods, increase access to essential services, and spur job creation and livelihoods," said Zhukov.