TAXILA: The Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (Tapi) gas pipeline project will prove to be the energy silk route which will connect central and south Asia, said Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Turkmenistan Ambassador, Atajan Movlamov on Thursday.

Talking to media persons, the envoy said that the central Asian states were connected with south Asia in the ancient times through roads and that this project will bring about economic development, employment for the population, the development of infrastructure, multilateral security and the promotion of peace and harmony in the region.

“Tapi is a key project which will lead to peace in the region as it will boost security cooperation among member countries,” the ambassador said.

He said the landmark energy project will also open avenues for generating economic activities, helping people raise their standards of living.

The envoy said the project will connect the energy-rich central Asian states with the south Asian countries with 1,840km of gas pipes.

The project will be implemented in two phases and after it is completed, up to 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas will be exported per year for 30 years.

The ambassador said that the volume of trade between his country and Pakistan should be increased and stressed on cooperation in various fields including agriculture, textile, livestock and IT.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2018