DUSHANBE, October 31, 2013, Asia-Plus – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Tajikistan have celebrated 15 years of partnership in reducing poverty and achieving inclusive and sustainable growth in the country, according to the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM).
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and in 2003 ADB opened its resident mission in Dushanbe.
Currently, ADB is the country’s largest multilateral development partner, with a total approved portfolio of over $1.08 billion as of the end of September 2013, of which $709 million is in grants.
“The world has changed so much over the last 15 years, but our partnership with Tajikistan has become stronger and more fruitful,” said Klaus Gerhaeusser, Director General of ADB’s Central and West Asia Department.
ADB’s assistance to the country focuses on reducing isolation, boosting infrastructure, broadening access to electricity, improving social services, and creating more income-generating opportunities.
In 2013 alone, ADB plans to provide nearly $250 million in grants for Tajikistan to rehabilitate the Golovnaya hydropower plant and improve regional road corridors. The resources will also be used to promote energy efficient homes, build climate resilience in the Panj River basin, simplify border crossing, and enhance rural health services.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2012, ADB assistance totaled $21.6 billion, including cofinancing of $8.3 billion.
