Sadoi Mardum newspaper, a mouthpiece of Tajikistan’s parliament, says the Majlisi Namoyandgon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) on December 22 ratified a US$20 million loan agreement signed by the Government of Tajikistan and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) in Dushanbe on October 6, 2023.
The document that was inked by Sultan Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, and Tajikistan’s Minister of Finance Faiziddin Qahhorzoda supports the fifth phase of the Secondary Schools Project in Tajikistan.
The agreement reportedly funds the construction of 19 schools and two administrative buildings in 18 cities and districts in Sughd and Khatlon provinces and districts subordinate to the center, meeting the increasing demand for education.
The implementation of the project starts in 2024 and it will conclude in 2028. Upon completion, it is expected to improve the country’s educational environment, benefiting around 30,000 students.
This soft loan is reportedly provided for the period of 25 years at the annual interest rate of 1.5 percent.
