IRANIAN-ARMENIAN RAILROAD VALUED AT $1.5 - $2BLN - ARMENIAN MINISTER
Interfax News Agency
June 3 2008
Russia
The project to build a railroad connecting Armenia to Iran will cost
about $1.5 - $2 billion, Armenian Transport and Communications Minister
Gurgen Sargsian told a news conference on Tuesday.
Sargsian said that Armenia, Iran and Russia were interested in building
a highway and that his talks with officials from those countries were
proof of that. The project was recently discussed with officials form
the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
and the European Investment Bank, the minister said.
The highway could be built in seven years, he said. "Given the
possibility of co-financing and the interest of Armenia, Iran and
Russia, I think that there are real prospects for the implementation
of this program," the minister said.
The railroad "will be a valuable asset," if goods from Iran to Russia
will transit via Abkhazia, he said.
Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD) has expressed readiness to take
part in the construction of the Iran-Armenia railroad. Russia's RZD
has signed a 30-year agreement to manage Armenia's railways network,
with an option to extend the contract for another 20 years, beginning
on June 1, 2008.
Interfax News Agency
June 3 2008
Russia
The project to build a railroad connecting Armenia to Iran will cost
about $1.5 - $2 billion, Armenian Transport and Communications Minister
Gurgen Sargsian told a news conference on Tuesday.
Sargsian said that Armenia, Iran and Russia were interested in building
a highway and that his talks with officials from those countries were
proof of that. The project was recently discussed with officials form
the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
and the European Investment Bank, the minister said.
The highway could be built in seven years, he said. "Given the
possibility of co-financing and the interest of Armenia, Iran and
Russia, I think that there are real prospects for the implementation
of this program," the minister said.
The railroad "will be a valuable asset," if goods from Iran to Russia
will transit via Abkhazia, he said.
Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD) has expressed readiness to take
part in the construction of the Iran-Armenia railroad. Russia's RZD
has signed a 30-year agreement to manage Armenia's railways network,
with an option to extend the contract for another 20 years, beginning
on June 1, 2008.