On Wednesday October 30, Mr. Jamoliddin Nouraliyev, First Deputy Head of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), met with Mr. Jan-Peter Olters, World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan, according to the NBT press center.
The meeting reportedly focused on issues related to implementation of the Digital CASA Project, which is aimed to connect Central Asia and South Asia by a single fiber optic line.
Mr. Olters reportedly noted that Tajikistan had carried out a certain work and was a pace-maker among the countries of the region in this direction.
It was noted that the main objective of the project is in improving access to high speed Internet in the country, particularly in remote regions.
Nouraliyev noted that implementation of the project was significant for further development of the country’s economy, formation of the digital infrastructure and creation of conditions for regional integration.
The Digital CASA Project was presented in Tajikistan in summer 2017 and it reportedly builds on an idea of connecting Central Asia and South Asia by a single fiber optic line.
Some international financial institutions, including the World Bank, have reportedly expressed wish to finance the project. The potential participants are Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Digital CASA Program is expected to increase access to more affordable internet services, improve government's capacity to deliver digital public services and facilitate opportunities for digitally‐enabled income generation.
Specific components of Digital CASA Program are tailored to each country on the basis of a broad Menu of Options.
The outcomes of Digital CASA Regional Program include: increase in the number of people provided with access to the Internet; significant social benefits related to more efficient delivery of services and enhanced citizen participation, including in health, education, among others; increase in the number of e‐Services and Applications Utilizing the Shared Services Platform; development of the ICT sector and digital job opportunities through increased productivity of firms, technological innovations across industries; facilitation of cross‐border trade of knowledge, products (e.g. e‐commerce) services across the Region; and generation of indirect government revenue sources.
