On Tuesday March 28, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon received Mr. Philip Bennett, Frist Vice-President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Ms. Ayten Rustamova, new Head of EBRD Resident Office in Dushanbe.
According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides noted that support for energy projects and strengthening of production and export potentials was one of important objectives to remove negative impact of external factors on Tajikistan’s economy and stabilize the macroeconomic situation.
They reportedly also expressed satisfaction with level of cooperation between Tajikistan and the Bank on implementation of investment projects aimed at enhancing the infrastructures of the cities and developing private sector in Tajikistan as well as improving access to financial resources.
It was noted that the government’s National Development Strategy 2016–2030 had been adopted for the purpose of creating conditions for further development of the country.
The sides also discussed issues related to supporting private sector, developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and modernizing industrial enterprises.
Recall, the country’s medium-term development program designed for 2016-2020 is the first phase of the government’s National Development Strategy 2016–2030. The strategic directions of this program include developing an institutional support system, improving the business environment for private sector development, and increasing human capital productivity.
The second phase (2021–2025) of the National Development Strategy 2016–2030 is planned for rapid growth of investments; while the third phase (2026–2030) is projected to mark the transition from industrialized growth strategies to diversified production and knowledge-based innovation.
The priorities of the National Development Strategy 2016–2030 are energy security and efficient use of energy, improved communications and reposition as a transit country, food security, nutrition and improve public access to quality food, and creation of jobs through increased private investment, economic diversification, and competitiveness.
The EBRD is a leading investor in Tajikistan and to date has committed more than €606 million through more than 100 projects in the country.
In Tajikistan the Bank focuses on: stabilizing and rebuilding trust in the banking sector; developing private enterprises and agribusiness; improving the availability, reliability and quality of municipal services; and Improving the quality of energy supply, regulation and energy efficiency.
