Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The discussion of the program focusing on supporting higher living standards for the Tajik people was on the agenda of negotiations between the World Bank (WB) and Dushanbe.

The discussions were held as part of the visit of WB's Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Laura Tuck to the country on February 9-11.

During the visit, Tuck met with President Emomali Rahmon, and the parties discussed the WB Group's ongoing development program in Tajikistan, which includes 13 projects with a total worth of $223 million on a grant basis, as well as the bank's new Country Partnership Strategy for fiscal years 2015-2018.

The current program aims to increase private investment for sustainable growth, while addressing human development needs such as food security, access to drinking water, and better health and education services.

As part of the visit Tuck also visited the Samotechnaya Water Treatment Plant site, associated with the Second Dushanbe Water Supply Project. This project, financed through a $16 million International Development Association grant, aims to improve the quality and reliability of water supply services to the residents of Dushanbe, as well as improve the performance of the city's water utility.

The ongoing Municipal Infrastructure Development Project supports the Tajik government's efforts to increase access to improved water and sanitation services in several municipalities.

Also, Tuck met with officials in the government and city administration, visited a WB-financed water supply project in Dushanbe, and discussed the role of education in poverty reduction with students and faculty of the Tajik National University.

The WB, as one of Tajikistan's long-standing partners in the education sector, recently joined other development partners in supporting the Fourth Global Partnership for Education Fund Grant for a total of $16.2 million. The grant aims to support improvements in pre-school and general education and strengthens institutional capacity to undertake reforms in the education sector.

Tajikistan and the WB Group marked 20 years of partnership in 2013. Since 1996, the WB has provided approximately $900 million in grants from International Development Association and trust fund resources to Tajikistan.

The largest share of the bank's current portfolio is in agriculture and rural development (34 percent), followed by water (19 percent), energy (16 percent), public sector management and economic policy (10 percent), education (8 percent), health and social protection (8 percent), and private sector development (5 percent).

The WB Group is committed to further support Tajikistan as it strives to improve the lives of its people and meet the aspirations of its young and growing population.

Strong economic growth averaging 8 percent annually over the past decade has helped Tajikistan achieve impressive results in reducing poverty. The WB intends to continue working with the Tajik government on reforms that have contributed to better delivery of social services and greater opportunities for farmers and businesses.

With the new Country Partnership Strategy for Tajikistan, which is currently under development, the WB is committed to further support Tajikistan by investing in people - the country's greatest asset - and undertaking second-generation reforms that are needed to build institutions to enable private sector growth.