DUSHANBE, February 14, 2012, Asia-Plus — On Tuesday February 14, tajik President Emomali Rahmon received the World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations for the Europe and Central Asia Region, Mr. Theodore Ahlers, and the World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha.
According to the presidential press service, the sides discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the World Bank.
The World Bank is currently financing 14 projects in Tajikistan totaling 190 million U.S. dollars. This financial support focuses on agriculture and rural development, energy and water, education, health and social protection, and economic policy reform.
In the course of the talks, Mr. Ahlers reportedly noted that for 2012 the Bank would finance four new projects for 48 million U.S. dollars, which is 10 million U.S. dollars more than it was provided by the Bank in 2011, source said.
The Roghun assessment studies financed by the World Bank were reportedly a particular focus of the meeting.
We will recall that the studies were initiated in February 2011 and both parties reiterated the importance of completing the studies using the highest international standards in order to thoroughly address dam safety, environmental and socioeconomic issues.
