DUSHANBE, October 3, 2014, Asia-plus — Mr. Hideaki Domichi, the Senior Vice-President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) paid an official visit to Tajikistan on September 29.
This is the first visit of JICA officials at such a high-ranking level since JICA started cooperation with independent Tajikistan.
While in Tajikistan Mr. Domichi signed the Grant Agreement for the Project “Improvement of Dushanbe International Airport”, had talks with Mr. Davlatali Said, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan, as well as visited Khatlon province, the region where JICA has been actively implementing projects last years.
According to JICA Tajikistan Office, accompanied by Ms. Lola Bobohojiyeva, the First Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan and Mr. Kazuya Suzuki, JICA Tajikistan Office Acting Resident Representative, as well as other officials, he visited Jomi district central hospital, where JICA has closely cooperated through provision of medical equipment, health workers skill training and awareness raising since 2012.
Mr. Domichi reportedly acknowledged that the hospital had gained good reputation among the population in neighboring districts because of advanced maternal and neonatal medical equipment and quality maternal and child care service. There is a drastic decrease in neonatal death and referral cases due to installment of medical equipment and capacity building of health workers. According to Amriddin Soliyev, the manager of the Jomi district central hospital, compared to the first half of 2013 the number of neonatal death decreased by 75% in the same period of 2014.
Ms. Bobohojiyeva took the opportunity to thank JICA for its contribution to the promotion of maternity and child care in Tajikistan.
Mr. Domichi also visited the Asphalt plant constructed under the Project for “Improvement of Equipment for Road Maintenance in Khatlon Province”.
Mr. Sherali Ganjalzoda, the First Deputy Minister of Transport of Tajikistan, expressed his gratitude for the grant provided by JICA and stated that the Asphalt plant, which will be the only existing plant under the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan in the region, is very important for improvement of road conditions in Khatlon. This plant is expected to contribute to the improvement of the road quality and sustainability in the region through producing hot asphalt to be used for rehabilitation of road, which is much stronger and of better quality compared to the cold asphalt which is currently being used for repair work.
Mr. Domichi concluded his visit to Khatlon with a meeting with Mr. Davlatsho Gulmahmadzoda, the Governor of the province. The parties reportedly exchanged views on different issues related to JICA – Khatlon relations. Mr. Gulmahmadzoda extended his words of gratitude to JICA for assisting Khatlon province and stressed that the development of Khatlon could contribute also to stability in Afghanistan.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency is an independent governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for the government of Japan. It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation.
JICA started providing technical assistance to Tajikistan in 1991, and Representative Office of JICA in Tajikistan was established in 2006.
