DUSHANBE, October 31, Asia-Plus – The British Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Graeme Loten, is this week leading a small Embassy delegation on a visit to the districts of Istaravshan and Ghonchi in the Sughd province.
According to the U.K. Embassy in Dushanbe, the purpose of the visit is for the Ambassador to familiarize himself with the two districts and to learn about their potential for development. During his visits, Loten will meet with the chairmen of both Istaravshan and Ghonchi, visit some of the area”s schools, and meet with some representatives of the NGOs and civil society operating there. There will also be an opportunity for him to see some of the industrial production of the area, including soft drinks and canning production center and a wine production facility.
In March, the Chairman of Istaravshan district, Juma Zokirov, together with the Ambassador opened an office in Istaravshan of the NGO Arbitrazh, which manages a third party arbitration project funded by the British government. This project offers the possibility to poor people in predominantly rural areas to settle legal disputes by arbitration rather than by the more expensive and time-consuming court process. The Ambassador”s program includes a return visit to Arbitrazh to check on their progress to date.
As this visit takes place just a few days before the country”s presidential elections, the British Ambassador is hoping to meet representatives of the main political parties in Istaravshan and Ghonchi and learn about these districts” preparations for election day.
