The Korea National Railway (KNR) has successfully concluded an invitational training program for policymakers involved in the Dushanbe urban railway project in Tajikistan, strengthening the foundation for K-Rail's expansion into Central Asia.
The agency said Tuesday that the training was conducted as part of the "2025/26 Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) Advisory Project for the Establishment and Operation of the Preparatory Planning Task Force for the Dushanbe Urban Railway in Tajikistan."
The EIPP is an intergovernmental policy and technology advisory program promoted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance to expand overseas business opportunities for Korean companies. The latest initiative, supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and commissioned by the Export-Import Bank of Korea, marks the third project in the total consulting effort for the Dushanbe urban railway, carried out by KNR through a K-Rail consortium with domestic firms.
The visiting delegation comprised key policymakers and working-level officials, including Tajikistan's First Vice Minister of Transport and the Deputy Mayor of Dushanbe. From April 27 to May 1, the five-day program featured a tour of the Paju Han River Tunnel exhibition hall, training on advanced tunnel construction technologies such as TBM, visits to station-area development sites in Suseo, Gongdeok, and Hongdae, and hands-on experience of subway rides and transfers. The delegation also held in-depth discussions with Korean experts on development directions and implementation strategies applicable to the Dushanbe urban railway.
Since signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport in March 2022, KNR has progressively expanded its cooperation. The agency has carried out three consecutive projects, including the KSP policy advisory (2023/24), a pre-feasibility study on the southern section using its own funds (K-IRD, 2024/25), and the current EIPP project.
"This training served as an opportunity to concretize the direction of the Dushanbe urban railway project and solidify the foundation for bilateral cooperation," said Lee An-ho, acting chairman of KNR. "Based on K-Rail's technological capabilities and experience, we will continue to expand business cooperation with the Central Asian region."
