Tajikistan officially launched the reconstruction of the Dushanbe-Chanak highway on Tuesday, a project estimated to cost some $296 millions. Tajikistan\'s President Emomali Rakhmonov took part in the launching ceremony. \"The highway will make it possible to develop our economy rapidly, in particular, the industry, and it will also take our country out of a communication blind alley,\" he said in the village of Varzob, 15 kilometers from Dushanbe. Rakhmonov added that \"after the linking of the highway running from Kulma [south-east Tajikistan, Chinese border] to Horog-Darvaz-Kulyab-Dushanbe and the Dushanbe-Hujand-Buston-Chanak highway, the Great Silk Route will return to live.\" China provided $281.2 million in a long-term loan to Tajikistan for the implementation of the two-year project. The necessary balance will be provided by the republic\'s government. The new highway linking the capital to the north of the republic on the border with neighboring Uzbekistan, according to the president, will make it possible to increase traffic up to 11,500 cars per day throughout the year. China, according to Rakhmonov, is the second foreign investor in Tajikistan, with Russia holding the first spot. (Interfax)