DUSHANBE, October 9, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Vice-President Xiaoyu Zhao is arriving in Dushanbe today for an official two-day visit.

Today, Mr. Zhao will hold talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to discuss state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between the ADB and the Government of Tajikistan, the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) said.

Mr. Zhao, who joined ADB in September 2008, is responsible for operations of the Central and West Asia Department (which covers Tajikistan), the South Asia Department, and the Private Sector Operations Department.

It is his fourth visit to Tajikistan.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and to date the institution has cumulatively approved a total assistance of more than $966 million in concessional loans, grants and technical assistance to the country. ADB’s operations benefit the population by reducing isolation, increasing communication, broadening access to electricity, improving social services, and creating more income-generating opportunities.