DUSHANBE, January 9, Asia-Plus — On Tuesday January 8, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi met with Mr. Makoto Ojiro, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Tajikistan.
According to the Tajik MFA, in the course of the talks the two discussed issues related to prospects of further expansion cooperation between Tajikistan and ADB. They, in particular, touched upon sectors like social sphere, transport, communications, energy, agriculture, health and banking services.
ADB appointed Makoto Ojiro as the new Country Director for Tajikistan, effective 27 November 2007. As Country Director of the Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), Mr. Ojiro is responsible for delivering ADB’s development assistance program to Tajikistan, totaling nearly $190 million over the next three years, as provided in the Tajikistan Country Operations Business Plan for 2008-2010. He will also oversee the implementation of ADB’s current investment portfolio in Tajikistan, consisting of 14 investment projects totaling around $292 million, two of which are delegated to TJRM for implementation. Mr. Ojiro will also continue to work with the government and development partners for improved regional economic cooperation in Central Asia.
Located in Dushanbe, TJRM”s responsibilities include: policy dialogue; country reporting; country strategy and program formulation; regional cooperation; portfolio management; project administration; economic and sector work; financial and administrative activities; coordination of ADB”s activities with the Government, donors, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector, and other members of civil society; and external relations and information dissemination.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998. ADB has provided assistance to Tajikistan’s economy, mainly in rural development and agriculture, transport, energy and social sectors. As of Nov. 15, 2007, Tajikistan has received $352.5 million in loans, $33.0 million in technical assistance and $39.5 million in grants.
