Mongolia and World Bank cooperate on transport and infrastructure projects
AKIPRESS.COM – The World Bank will launch a study to assess the feasibility of upgrading Murun Airport to accommodate Code 4C aircraft, the Ministry of Road and Transport reported.
The announcement followed a meeting between State Secretary of the Ministry of Road and Transport Bayarmagnai Myagmarsuren and a delegation led by World Bank’s Transport Sector Manager for East Asia and the Pacific Fei Deng.
During the meeting, the World Bank representatives confirmed that the necessary studies would be launched.
The Ministry had previously proposed jointly conducting feasibility and other studies, financed through the World Bank’s grant funds, for the expansion of Khovd and Murun airports and their development into international airports. The two airports are considered strategically important for regional development and economic growth.
Meanwhile, under the World Bank-funded Transport Connectivity and Logistics Improvement Project, sections of the country’s busiest national roads will be upgraded. The project will upgrade and maintain 368 kilometers of paved roads and 876 linear meters of bridges at seven locations.
During the meeting, Fei Deng said the World Bank attaches importance to the project to expand the 101.7-kilometer Ulaanbaatar–Lun road to six lanes, noting its historical and economic significance due to its connection with Kharkhorin city. She also emphasized that the project must be financially competitive and that its ability to generate sufficient revenue to cover its costs is a key consideration.
State Secretary Bayarmagnai expressed appreciation for the launch of studies, funded through grant assistance, to prepare the project to upgrade the 270-kilometer Ulaanbaatar–Mandalgobi road into a four-lane highway in line with the World Bank’s requirements. He said that US$2.2 million in grant funding had been secured and preparations were underway to select a consulting firm to conduct the feasibility study and preliminary design for the road project.
The State Secretary also noted that a consultant was being selected to prepare a feasibility study for establishing a logistics center in Khushig Valley under the ongoing project. He expressed confidence that cooperation would further expand to attract investment for future infrastructure development.
