In order to thoroughly improve the water safety and sanitation environment for residents in the Bukhara region, the Bukhara water supply and sewage treatment project, fully financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, has recently released an international bidding notice. The total investment of this project is as high as 385 million US dollars, marking an important step for Uzbekistan in improving key livelihood infrastructure.

The project will be implemented by the Uzbekistan Water Resources Agency and will use international competitive bidding to procure engineering EPC and various consulting services from qualified contractors and consulting companies worldwide. The bidding deadline is December 9, 2025, and the project is expected to officially start construction in the second quarter of 2026, with a construction period of 36 months.

The project focuses on three core areas to build a modern water management system

According to the bidding documents, the BRWSSP project aims to systematically solve the water supply and drainage problems in six administrative districts of Bukhara region, consisting of three major components:

Comprehensive upgrade of water supply infrastructure: The project will construct and repair new water intakes and approximately 120 kilometers of raw water pipelines, and modernize existing water treatment plants in Bukhara city and surrounding areas. At the same time, intelligent pumping stations and water distribution networks will be built to ultimately provide safer and more reliable drinking water services for approximately 850000 residents.

New centralized sewage treatment system: In response to the long-standing problem of insufficient sewage collection and treatment capacity, the project will invest in the construction of centralized biological sewage treatment plants in five district centers, with a total designed treatment capacity of 120000 cubic meters per day. In addition, approximately 180 kilometers of sewage collection pipelines and pumping stations will be installed to effectively reduce environmental pollution and improve public health conditions.

Strengthening long-term operational management capabilities: To ensure the sustainability of the project, the bidding content also includes the introduction of independent third-party supervisors, environmental and social impact assessment consultants, and smart water management system suppliers. This measure will significantly improve the operational efficiency and management level of Bukhara Vodokanal, and promote the establishment of a reasonable cost recovery mechanism.

AIIB funds drive sustainable development in Central Asia

The $385 million sovereign loan provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is the key to the smooth progress of the project. This investment not only reflects the strong support of international financial institutions for the development of infrastructure and improvement of people's livelihoods in Uzbekistan, but also a concrete practice of AIIB's commitment to promoting green and sustainable development in Central Asia. Keywords: international news, international news and information

After the completion of the project, it will greatly enhance the overall living environment of the Bukhara region, which has profound significance for protecting local water resources and promoting coordinated economic and social development. Currently, water engineering companies and consulting firms worldwide are closely monitoring this bidding opportunity, which is expected to trigger a fierce round of competition.Editor/Cheng Liting