DUSHANBE, December 5, Asia-Plus  -- New Head of the Asian development Bank (ADB) Resident Mission to Tajikistan Makoto Ojiro has arrived.     

Tajikistan joined the Asian Development Bank in 1998 and the Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) was inaugurated by former ADB President Tadao Chino and Tajikistan Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov in November 2003.  

Located in Dushanbe, TJRM''s responsibilities include: policy dialogue; country reporting; country strategy and program formulation; regional cooperation; portfolio management; project administration; economic and sector work; financial and administrative activities; coordination of ADB''s activities with the Government, donors, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector, and other members of civil society; and external relations and information dissemination.  

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2006, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling $8.5 billion, and technical assistance amounting to almost $242 million.