DUSHANBE, March 16, 2009, Asia-Plus — On Friday March 13, Deputy Finance Minister, Jamoliddin Sheraliyev met with representatives of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) mission led by Ms. Sona Shrestha, ADB Chief Economist, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Secretariat.
The sides considered aspects of the program on allocating grants to support Tajikistan’s budget, the source at the MoF Secretariat said. They also discussed issues related to the proposed program aimed at overcoming crisis and carrying out reforms.
In the meantime, according to the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), Ms. Sona Shrestha heading the ADB mission arrived in Dushanbe on March 13 and she will stay here until March 25. During her stay in Tajikistan, Ms. Shrestha is scheduled to hold talks with senior representatives from the ministry of economic development and trade, central bank, president’s office and other relevant departments to discuss a number of economic issues.
We will recall that Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Country Director for Tajikistan Makoto Ojiro met with President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on February 20 to discuss a number of issues, including ADB”s operation in Tajikistan. They also exchanged views on the global economic crisis, its impact on the Tajik economy, and the measures needed to help Tajikistan people cope with the crisis. “ADB, in close coordination with other development partners, stands ready to help the country in this difficult time,” Mr. Ojiro said during the meeting.
As of end-2008, Tajikistan had received nearly half a billion dollars in ADB assistance, of which $372.50 million are in loans, $33.65 million in technical assistance, and $97.27 million in grants. Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998.
ADB”s future operation in the country will be guided by the Long-Term Strategic Framework: 2008-2020 and aligned with the Government”s development plans and priorities as indicated in the National Development Strategy and Poverty Reduction Strategy. ADB”s investment program for Tajikistan from 2009 to 2010 is currently set at $102 million on grant basis.
ADB is participating in the preparation of a new country partnership strategy for 2009-2012 in close collaboration with 11 other donor agencies present in Tajikistan. The strategy is expected to be finalized by mid-2009.
