DUSHANBE, July 18, 2013, Asia-Plus – On Wednesday July 17, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met here with Ms. Laura Frigenti, World Bank Chief of Staff, who will hold the position of Vice President for the World Bank”s Europe and Central Asia region in the fall, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
In the course of the talks, the sides reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the World Bank.
A special attention was given to cooperation between them on issues related to climate change problems, providing access to safe drinking water and electricity, supporting food security, creating new jobs.
The sides expressed confidence that further cooperation would also be fruitful and promote further socioeconomic development of Tajikistan.
Tajikistan joined the World Bank in 1993 and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the International Development Association (IDA) in 1994. Over twenty years, the partnership with Tajikistan has evolved in line with changes in local needs and the global economy. Initially, the World Bank focused on post-conflict reconstruction projects in the late 1990s and provided emergency funding in response to food insecurity and natural disasters. Beginning in 2000, investments aimed at restoring productivity-led growth and job creation through improved education, better access to healthcare and safe drinking water, enhanced land rights, diversification of agriculture in rural areas, and improved business environment.
Since 1996, the World Bank has provided approximately US$ 843 million in IDA credits, grants, and trust funds to improve people’s lives in Tajikistan. Around 34% of these funds have been committed for agriculture and the rural development sector. Other major sectors are economic policy and public sector – 17%, energy – 15%, water and urban development – 15%, education – 10% and health and social protection – 9%. The active World Bank portfolio in Tajikistan consists of 15 projects with net commitments of US$ 271 million.
