DUSHANBE, June 4, 2009, Asia-Plus — Visiting Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the eldest son of His Highness the Aga Khan, yesterday held talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi. Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (in Tajikistan) Munir Merali also attended the meeting.
According to the MFA information department, Zarifi pointed out the importance of the AKDN projects for enhancement education, health, socioeconomic and cultural sectors in Tajikistan.
For his part, Prince Rahim said that the purpose of the visit was for him to review the AKDN projects in the country and study opportunities of further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Zarifi noted that under conditions of global financial crisis, projects implemented by the AKDN through the First MicroFinance Bank of Tajikistan (FMFB-T) should be aimed at, first of all, supporting vulnerable families.
The AKDN Resident Representative Munir Merali noted that the FMFB-T would develop dialogue with the government of the country for improvement of investment climate and would finance small and medium-sized projects with focus on vulnerable people in the future as well, the MFA information department said.
The sides also discussed issued related to construction of the Ismaili Center and Serena Hotel in Dushanbe.
We will recall that Prince Rahim arrived in Dushanbe on June 2 at a start of a five-day visit to Central Asia, which also includes Kyrgyzstan. During his first visit to Central Asia, Prince Rahim Aga Khan will meet with government officials and review current and planned projects of the AKDN.
Prince Rahim is an executive Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) — the economic development arm of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). He also serves as an Executive Director at the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM). He travels regularly to Asia and Africa to oversee the industrial plants, hotel properties and financial institutions, including microfinance program, of the AKDN.
The AKDN is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual global budget for social development is in excess of US$ 500 million.
AKDN agencies work in Tajikistan in a range of areas—from economic development to education, rural development to cultural revitalization, health care to financial services. Operating in the country since 1992, AKDN draws on a strong base of experience in working with mountain societies. The Network is present in all regions of Tajikistan through its operations and investments, including the PamirEnergy Company, Indigo Telecommunications, and the First MicroFinance Bank.
