NANGARHAR - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted US$110 million to Afghanistan for the construction of second Kabul-Jalalabad carriage highway.

The contract to execute the multi-million dollars project was signed between the Minister for Public Works, Najibullah Ojhan and a joint Afghan-Chinese construction company in Kabul.

Addressing the media after the signing ceremony, Mr. Ojhan said construction work on the ADB funded project would be launched next month. The road would be ready for proper use in three years, he said, adding completion of the vital highway would link a number of districts in Kabul and Nangarhar.

He expressed optimism that the new project would multiply business and transportation activities in the country.

He urged the Afghan-Chinese joint construction corporations to use quality materials in the construction of the vital road.

Meanwhile the ADB president, Joji Takeshi, expressed his satisfaction by taking part in Afghanistan’s construction and economic growth.

Present on the occasion, Finance Minister, Hazrat Omar Zakhelwal said the construction of the road would leave positive impact on trade and business in the country who viewed it an excellent alternative to Kabul-Torkham highway.

Since 2002, the ADB has extended Afghanistan with nearly $3 billion to build the shattered infrastructure of the country.

Source: Pazhwak News Agency