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Islamic Development Bank to provide $1bn for TAPI pipeline project

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IDB to provide $1bn for TAPI pipeline project

Kaswar Klasra

DECEMBER 7, 2018

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has committed an amount of $1billion to finance the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, said TAPI Pipeline Company Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhammetmyrat Amanov while delivering a lecture here at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

“An agreement has been reached with the IDB to provide $700 million for TAPI pipeline portion in Turkmenistan. Negotiations are underway to provide additional $300 million for the remaining portion of the pipeline,” he said, adding that ADB and ICIEC have shown interest in providing $500 million and $300 million respectively to finance the project. He said the first phase would be using long-term debt sourced from a mixture of multilateral development agencies, export credit agencies and the commercial banks. He said the financial close of the first phase would be achieved in the first quarter of next year.

“TAPI project will be completed in two phases. In the first phase, pipeline will be constructed and in the second phase, six compressors will be installed,” he said, adding that the project was of national importance for all the countries as it would meet their energy needs.

Replying to a query about security situation in Afghanistan, he said there was no issue of security in Pakistan, however there were some issues in Afghanistan. “Government of Afghanistan has assured us about security of the pipeline passing through their territory. We have laid power transmission lines in Afghanistan already,” he said, adding that Afghan government is capable of providing the required security. “Gas pipeline project is to Afghanistan as it is to other participants. I’m sure there will be no security issue,” he said.

The CEO revealed that they were in talks with different third-party consultants to work out a model of security for the pipeline project. He said project enjoys the backing of China, Russia and the United States as well. “Pakistan and Afghanistan have also given commitments in inter-governmental agreement and framework agreement to provide security to the project,” he said.

He said the project was facing some hurdles which needed to be removed. He urged the participating countries to resolve those issues to move ahead.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/330694/adb-to-provide-1bn-for-tapi-pipeline-project/
 
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We should cancel this deal waste of 1 Billion Dollar and invest that in local Dam fund
 
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TAPI is a non-OPEC/Non-Russian Oil Source. Flowing all the way down to markets in Pakistan and India, and onward export. Running it through Pakistan (Chaman-Quetta-Fort Monro- Multan-International Border) creates a new corridor the PA will need to defend and hold to maintain some leverage over foreign economic/military pressure. TAPI would also provide more oil or gas to be processed at the $8 Billion oil/gas city in Gwadar being set up by the Saudis.

While the Military will be protecting this Corridor; its should be "expanded" to link Multan with Quetta by rail (for backup) as well as for onward export to Europe via Iran and Turkey. Rail can be faster than Sea Shipping, and if a lot of factories are set up (CPEC, Japanese SEZ, Peace Dividend post Afghan war Stability Projects and Mineral Extraction/processing facilities) the volume of rail freight cargo can lower the cost to be close to sea shipping. This will be a huge win; exporting at competitive prices in the European Market, and win smaller markets along the way; Iran, Turkey, Central Asia, Mid-East (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon). Example of products Pakistan can export this way would be batteries from Afghan Lithium, Halal Meat in Refrigerated train cars, Food Stuffs from Sindh and Punjab, Auto Parts from all the Car Plants being set up, and all the clothes like T-Shirts, Pants, Suits, Dresses, etc.

This kind of rail connectivity (especially if Main Line 1 is modernized under CPEC); right up to Lahore would be very enticing for India. Pushing for Peace on Kashmir with the offer of transit trade; not just to central Asia via Afghanistan by road; but a full scale Rail export infrastructure; Trans-Continental all the way to Europe could a real game changer.
 
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