CREDIT APPROVED FOR VITAL UZBEK RAILWAY’S REHABILITATION.

The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday approved a US$70 million loan for rehabilitation of the Chengeldy-Tashkent-Samarkand railway. The 320-kilometer stretch represents Uzbekistan’s most important transport artery, carrying almost 40 percent of the country’s total transport tonnage. The route is in serious disrepair, forcing trains to travel at speeds as low as 25 kilometers per hour. Uzbekistan contributes US$56 million to the rehabilitation project, which is due for completion in 2003 (M2 Communications, Xinhua, September 15).

The ADB has just approved a US$50 million loan for rehabilitation of Kyrgyzstan’s main transport artery, the Osh-Bishkek highway (see the Monitor, September 11). Japan was instrumental in promoting both loans.–VS

PLANS FOR LAKE BALKHASH NUCLEAR POWER PLANT CONTINUE.