DUSHANBE, January 30, 2014, Asia-Plus — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering investing directly in the private sector of Tajikistan through loans, equity, and guarantee facilities, a source at ADB’s Tajikistan resident Mission (TJRM) said.
“Potential projects address trade finance and financing of banks for activities with high development impacts. Manufacturing and processing projects may also be considered.”
According to the Country Operations Business Plan (COBP), 2014-2016, for Tajikistan, Tajikistan is eligible only to receive grants from the Asian Development Fund (ADF), but it may gain access to ADF loans if debt sustainability conditions improve. The 2013–2014 ADF biennial country allocation for Tajikistan amounts to $106.10 million according to the performance-based allocation for 2013–2014. The ADF will determine the country allocation for the years covered in the COBP on the basis of Tajikistan’s annual country performance assessments.
The indicative investment program agreed upon with the government under the COBP, 2014–2016, consists of $59 million in 2014, $54 million in 2015, and $54 million in 2016. These funds do not include possible additional ADF subregional resources for regional projects and potential cofinancing from other development partners and the government. Several projects that have been included in the indicative pipeline on a standby basis can be reclassified as firm if funding becomes available. The funding pipeline for technical assistance (TA) during 2014–2016 averages about $1.6 million a year.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998 and, to date, the institution has approved total assistance of over $1.2 billion in concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country. The 15 years of ADB-Tajikistan partnership has promoted social development, restored and built new infrastructure, expanded agricultural production, and encouraged regional cooperation and trade within the framework of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program.
