DUSHANBE, December 15, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s updated 2016 to 2018 country program for Tajikistan was presented in Dushanbe today.

The program reportedly aims to support inclusive economic growth through structural reforms to strengthen the investment climate, road and energy development, skills upgrades, and improved food security.

The ADB’s Tajikistan country operations business plan (COBP) for 2016–2018 is aligned with the interim country partnership strategy (CPS) for 2015, which extended the validity of the CPS, 2010–2014.  The interim CPS aims to help the country achieve higher and more inclusive and sustainable economic growth by addressing binding constraints to development.  The COBP for 2016-2018 is also aligned with the strategic thrusts of the proposed CPS covering 2016–2020.  This proposed CPS is intended to support the government’s long-term national-development strategy for 2016–2030, but is expected to focus on the creation of jobs through increased private investment, economic diversification and competitiveness, raising industry’s contribution to economic growth.

The 3-year COBP reportedly has an indicative investment level of over $240 million, which is earmarked for projects ADB wishes to support.

“The COBP is aligned with the proposed new 2016-2020 country partnership strategy for Tajikistan which is currently being finalized,” said C.C. Yu, ADB’s Country Director for Tajikistan.  “ADB’s goals are to improve the investment climate, help diversify the economy, and create more higher-paying jobs in the country.”

The indicative investment pipeline includes projects to rehabilitate the Dushanbe – Qurghon Teppa road, to improve food security, and to support water resource management.  The COBP also includes projects to help develop the energy sector and to reform the investment climate.

ADB assistance for 2016 is expected to be $70 million, followed by projected investments of $85 million and $86 million in 2017 and 2018, respectively.  However, final amounts will depend on the country’s performance and availability of ADB funds.  The decision on the share of loans and grants in the total assistance package will be based on Tajikistan’s debt distress classification jointly prepared by the IMF and World Bank, and in accordance with ADB’s grant framework.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998. To date, ADB has approved total assistance of around $1.4 billion in concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country.  The ADB-Tajikistan partnership has promoted social development, upgraded and built new infrastructure, expanded agricultural production, developed the microfinance market, and encouraged regional cooperation and trade under the CAREC Program.