The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released its updated 2017 to 2019 country program for Tajikistan.
In accordance with this program, ADB will support energy and road development, improving food security, strengthening investment climate, inclusive health, and sustainable urban infrastructure in the country, according to the message posted on the bank’s website.
The indicative financial assistance for the 3-year Country Operations Business Plan (COBP) is around $319 million, an increase of over $200 million from the 2014-2016 COBP of $118 million.
“ADB will expand its support for structural reforms through policy-based lending, support for private sector participation in skills development, and investment in infrastructure,” said C.C. Yu, ADB’s Country Director for Tajikistan.
The COBP includes projects to further develop the energy sector including supporting sector reforms and boosting infrastructure, improve food security through climate resilient technologies, and rehabilitate key road corridors along with strengthening road maintenance and road safety.
In addition, ADB will support projects to help develop urban infrastructure, reform the investment climate, improve quality of health services, and develop labor skills.
ADB assistance for 2017 is expected to be around $107 million, followed by projected investments of $108 million and $104 million in 2018 and 2019, respectively, according to the message.
However, final amounts will depend on the country’s performance and availability of ADB funds.
Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and to date ADB has approved over $1.5 billion in concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country. (Trend/Business World Magazine)