DUSHANBE, July 13, Asia-Plus — At present 51 investment projects for a total amount of $1.33 billion are being implemented in Tajikistan, Asia-Plus has learned at the State Committee for Investments and Management of the State-owned Property.  

The source at the committee said that the amount includes $1.043 billion in loans, $152..8 million in grants, a $97.076 million contribution of the Tajik government, as well as a $38.097 million contribution of Barqi Tojik power holding and Tojikgaz (Tajik state natural-gas distributor).  Tojikgaz accounts for 2.92 percent in those $38.097 million.  

The source added that as of June 1, 2007, $355.3 million had been used on implementation of the investment project.   

“Business forums and conference with participation of international donors play a key role in development of the investment climate in the country,” said the source, “Thus, the Tajikistan Development Forum that was held in Dushanbe in June took stock of the country’s development efforts to date, defined further priorities and the way forward.”  

The forum brought together representatives of the Tajik government, international development agencies, bilateral donors, civil society and private sector.  The discussions focused on the challenges for future development and determining the role each partner can play in contributing to the Government’s development vision.  The forum provided an opportunity to assess the implementation of the Tajikistan first Poverty Reduction Strategy and discuss the implementation of the country’s National Development Strategy and the second Poverty Reduction Strategy recently adopted by the Government. To that end, the National Development Council, comprising key Government officials and civil society representatives, will be established that will define main strategic directions and oversee the implementation of the country’s development programs.  The forum yielded US$596.37 million donor commitments.