DUSHANBE, March 3, 2015, Asia-Plus — The Exchange of Note took place on March 3 between Mr. Kamada Takashi, the Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, and Mr. Zuev Alexander, UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan, regarding the implementation of a project for Promoting Cross-border Cooperation through effective management of Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.
Based on the Exchange of Note, Mr. Ishii Kiyoshi, JICA Tajikistan Office Resident Representative and Mr. Zuev signed the Grant Agreement on the implementation of the said project. And also the Project Document was signed by Mr. Sirojiddin Aslov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and Mr. Zuev accordingly.
According to JICA Country Office in Tajikistan, the $ 4.2 million project, of which 468 million Japanese Yen (approximately equals to $ 3.9 million) was provided by the Government of Japan through JICA, aims at promoting stability and security of cross border regions of Tajikistan and Afghanistan, as well as at assisting Tajik-Afghan cross-border communities in pursuing trade opportunities, thus, enhancing the living standard of the local people.
The project reportedly also puts weight to socially vulnerable groups such as women who do not have enough opportunity to participate in community activities due to the absence of infrastructure such as checkpoints for women.
The present initiative is the third project funded by the Government of Japan through JICA that contributes to the efforts of Tajikistan Government and other development partners working in the field of border management and socio-economic development in the region. Particularly, the present initiative complements: ‘Livelihoods Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas’ (funded by JICA and implemented by UNDP) and ‘Rural Development Project in Tajik Afghan Area of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast of Tajikistan’ (funded by JICA and implemented by Aga Khan Foundation).
The Japan International Cooperation Agency is an independent governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for the government of Japan. It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation.
JICA started providing technical assistance to Tajikistan in 1991, and Representative Office of JICA in Tajikistan was established in 2006.
