Tajikistan and ADB have agreed on a new development strategy for five years

Almaty. September 23. Silkroadnews – Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed on a new five-year partnership strategy to facilitate the economy's more sustainable and inclusive growth which would be less vulnerable to external shocks while providing for well-paid jobs, TajikTA reports.

Vice-President of the ADB Wencai Zhang, who presented a new strategy in Dushanbe, said the Bank has been supporting the economic development and poverty reduction in Tajikistan since 1998, with a total funding exceeding $1.4 billion.

It was noted that the ADB will support reforms of the investment climate, as well as the development of vocational education complemented by technical assistance and transfer of knowledge.

The agreed development strategy defines the ADB operations in Tajikistan for 2016-2020 focusing efforts on the continued development of infrastructure.

Support in the development of the energy sector includes the modernization of power generation and transmission, improves the industry’s financial management and system’s losses reduction. Another priority is to improve the transport infrastructure of the national and international corridors.

The ADB will also provide Tajikistan with targeted support to contribute to food security raising through the development of technologies resilient to climate change, value chain and water management.

In addition, the ADB’s Resident Representative in the Republic of Tatjikistan Chang Ching Yu said within next five years the bank will continue to support the republic’s energy sector, including providing assistance in selling the Tajik electricity abroad. At the same time, according to the indicative plan of assistance for Tajikistan, in 2016-2018 the ADB plans to provide Tajikistan with nearly $240 million of investments: $70 million – in 2016, $85 million – in 2017, $86 million – in 2018.