Technical assistance grant to support the preparation of the Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu (KIAD) High Standard Electrified Railway Project in the Repub...

The proposed TA aims to ensure the readiness of the KIAD Project, to be financed by the OPEC Fund through a € 150.00 million public sector loan (Targeted Governing Board Approval: April 2025). In particular, the grant proceeds will be used to (i) hire a transport specialist to assess and analyse the technical, economic, and financial viability of the project and ascertain the project’s rationale, scope, cost, schedule, implementation arrangements, risks and mitigation measures; and (ii) hire a procurement specialist to review the bid documents and procedures under the project. As the OPEC Fund is considered the only Development Finance Institution involved in the financing of the downstream investment project, this project will represent a stand-alone operation, hence additional due diligence assessments are required to ensure the technical, economic and financial viability of the project. In particular, the assessments will ensure the completeness of project documents and alignment with the OPEC Fund’s policy and operational requirements prior to approval of the loan financing.