DUSHANBE, January 8, 2014, Asia-Plus — On Wednesday January 8, the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) ratified two grant agreements signed between the Government of Tajikistan and the International Development Association (IDA).
Speaking at the session, Deputy Minister of Finance, Alamkhon Naimi, said a grant agreement for 10 million U.S. dollars provided for improvement of the competitiveness of the private sector and a grant agreement for 16 million U.S. dollars provided for implementation of the Second Dushanbe Water Supply Project.
The project for improvement of the competitiveness of the private sector is expected to be finished in later 2016.
The World Bank Group supports the development of the private sector in Tajikistan by improving economy-wide legislation and processes and by building infrastructure and institutions for business and financial services. On May 7, 2012, the World Bank approved a US$10 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to lay the foundation for the competitiveness of the private sector. International Development Association provides $10 million grant to Tajikistan for improving competitiveness of private sector.
The objective of the Second Dushanbe Water Supply Project for Tajikistan is to improve water utility performance and water supply services in selected areas of Dushanbe. There are four components to the project: the first component being metering and demand management; the second component is the water quality improvement; the third component is the institutional strengthening and capacity building; and the fourth component is the implementation support.
The intermediary objective of this $19 million project is to provide technical assistance to improve management, operational and technical knowledge within the Dushanbe Vodokanal (Dushanbe’s municipal waterworks), which would set this utility enterprise on a path of improved compliance, customer service and financial viability. Through provision of such assistance, the project aims to ensure tangible improvements in the quality, delivery and efficiency of potable water services to its main targeted beneficiaries – the people of Dushanbe. The project is funded with a $16 million grant by the International Development Association (IDA) and with a $3 million co-financing credit by the Municipality of Dushanbe, and will be implemented over a 5-year period.
