DUSHANBE
, August 4, Asia-Plus – On Thursday August 3, President Rahmonov received visiting Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Liqun Jin, who is responsible for operations of the ADB Central and West Asia Department.
Their talks focused on a state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the ADB.
Following his meeting with President Rahmonov, Mr. Jin told journalists that
Tajikistan
was a good and reliable partner. “Despite some difficulties, all rising problems are tackled through negotiations,” the ADB official stressed.
According to him, President Rahmonov confirmed
Tajikistan
’s readiness to expand cooperation with the Asian Development Bank as one of the most reliable partners.
Mr. Jin said that in the course of the talks they discussed ADB’s assistance program in
Tajikistan
, with focuses on strengthening rural development, social sectors, and regional cooperation, and rehabilitating basic infrastructure.
“We, in particular, discussed the creation of integrated economic market, with focus on improvement of infrastructure in the country’s transport sector,” Mr. Liqun Jin, noting that enhancement of agrarian sector, continuation of reforms in that sector, as well as settlement of problems connected with farming units’ debts were also in the center of his discussion with President Rahmonov. “The Asia Development Bank will support reforms in future as well,” the ADB official noted.
He added that they also discussed the current socioeconomic situation in
Tajikistan
as well. “We also discussed prospects of further expansion of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between
Tajikistan
and the ADB in implementation of investment projects in the social sphere, energy, financial sector,” said Mr. Jin, “We also discussed issues related to removing effects of disasters, and supporting development of small and medium-sized business in
Tajikistan
.”
Asked about the possibility of restructuring
Tajikistan
’s debt to the Asian Development Bank, Liqun Jin noted that
Tajikistan
showed a serious attitude to fulfillment of its engagements on loans. “The ADB will consider the issue of providing new loans,” the ADB vice-president said.
Mr. Liqun Jin arrived in
Tajikistan
on August 3 his first two-day visit. During his stay in
Tajikistan
the ADB vice-president is also scheduled to visit two ADB projects in Khatlon province – a Road Rehabilitation Project, and Power Rehabilitation Phase I – as well as the Afghan border, where he will view ongoing agriculture rehabilitation and planned flood control projects on the
Panj
River
. Tomorrow, Mr. Jin will depart for
Bishkek
,
Kyrgyzstan
.
