DUSHANBE, May 12, 2011, Asia-Plus — On Thursday May 12, President Emomali Rahmon received Mr. Motoo Konishi, the World bank Regional Director for Central Asia, and Mr. Theodore Ahlers, the World Bank Director of Strategy and Operations for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region.
According to the presidential press service, the sides discussed issues related to cooperation between Tajikistan and the World Bank, including assessment studies for the Roghun Hydropower Project (HPP).
The findings of the first stage of the assessment studies were reportedly submitted to the Government of Tajikistan at the beginning of this week and the results of the second stage will be prepared by autumn this year.
They noted that the findings of the first phase of the assessment studies for the Roghun HPP would be discussed in Almaty, Kazakhstan on May 19.
Mr. Ahlers, in particular, noted that the main objective of the assessment studies and discussion of that issue was in seeking acceptable options and solution to energy problems facing Tajikistan.
The sides expressed confidence that the findings of the assessment studies would be accepted by all countries of the region without further debate, the source said.
We will recall that in March 2010, the Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation to achieve sustainable development of Tajikistan”s energy resources, secure supply of energy services to the people of Tajikistan and promote balanced economic growth. Under this document, the techno-economic, the environmental and social impact assessments for the Roghun HPP are being conducted.
The World Bank has reached an understanding with the Government of Tajikistan that no new construction would commence until after the techno-economic and environmental/social studies have been shared and discussed with riparians, and the studies are reviewed by the independent Bank-funded Panel of Experts to determine feasibility.
