Tokyo, 13 January 1997 (RFE/RL) - Two large Japanese companies say they will build a new, modern telephone network in Uzbekistan. Itar-Tass news agency today says the project was commissioned by Uzbekistan's government, and appears to be the largest project with Japanese participation in Central Asia.
Part of the funding for the multi-million dollar project comes from a loan Tokyo granted Tashkent. Japan will also help lay powerful fiber-optic lines and train specialists in Uzbekistan.