DUSHANBE, May 27, Asia-Plus — On Monday May 26, President Emomali Rahmon met here with Executive Director of the Wolfensohn Center for Development, Mr. Johannes Linn.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Rahmon, said that he had been asked to work on a strategy of providing assistance to Tajikistan as independent expert.
According to him, President Rahmon told him his vision of further development of the country, work with donors and what assistance Tajikistan waits fro from donors. The head of state outlined energy and food security as priorities.
On the prospects of cooperation with donors, Mr. Linn stressed that donors are ready provide assistance to Tajikistan in this difficult time. The World Bank is ready to assist and expand cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan as well take efforts to expand cooperation among donors for assistance to the country, he said. Besides, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and others are working on promoting regional cooperation within the framework of Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.
Asked whether the supposed assistance will ease food difficulties, he noted that Tajikistan is not the only country that suffers from rising food prices.
Mr. Linn noted that the World Bank had worked out a special program for providing food assistance. This program provides for assistance with purchase of seeds, mineral fertilizers and foodstuffs during a year. He expressed hope that this assistance, government’s efforts and reforms will help the country settle the food crisis.
However, the best way to settle the food crisis is to give farmers an opportunity to choose what to plant, Mr. Linn said.
The Wolfensohn Center for Development, in partnership with others, seeks effective solutions to key development challenges in order to create a more prosperous and stable world. The Center’s three main projects focus on aid effectiveness, early child development, and Middle East youth.
