DUSHANBE, October 10, 2012, Asia-Plus — The Asian Development Bank is ready for closer cooperation with Tajikistan on implementation of high-priority projects, the ADB Vice President Xiaoyu Zhao told journalists here yesterday following a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
He noted that the Bank plans a US$200 million grant program for Tajikistan within the next three years to help develop energy and transport infrastructure and reforms and support private sector development.
The ADB vice-president noted that joint efforts of the Bank and the Government of Tajikistan were currently aimed at implementing projects for upgrading the Ayni-Panjakent-Uzbekistan border and Dushanbe-Tursunzoda-Uzbekistan border highways.
According to him, they discussed a broad range of issues during the meeting with Tajik president.
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Vice-President Xiaoyu Zhao arrived in Dushanbe yesterday for an official two-day visit.
Mr. Zhao, who joined ADB in September 2008, is responsible for operations of the Central and West Asia Department (which covers Tajikistan), the South Asia Department, and the Private Sector Operations Department.
It is his fourth visit to Tajikistan.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and to date the institution has cumulatively approved a total assistance of more than $966 million in concessional loans, grants and technical assistance to the country. ADB’s operations benefit the population by reducing isolation, increasing communication, broadening access to electricity, improving social services, and creating more income-generating opportunities.
