The overall performance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects in Tajikistan in 2020 was satisfactory despite challenges posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, a performance review meeting concluded today.

The ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) says the meeting wrapped-up the 2020 country portfolio review mission – an annual exercise jointly carried out by ADB and the government with executing and implementing agencies.

The implementation of ADB projects had to be adjusted in 2020 to ensure business continuity, with increased reliance on virtual meetings and online approaches supported by necessary due diligence and integrity checks.

“2020 was unprecedented globally and challenging for project implementation. We faced delays in consultant mobilization and procurement delivery due to travel restrictions and disruption in supply chains,” said ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Shanny Campbell.  “Nonetheless, thanks to the strong support and diligent efforts of all our colleagues, we managed to overcome some of the bottlenecks and produce good results.”

Yet, two projects were rated ‘at risk’ due to unmet contract award and disbursements targets linked with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Participants at the meeting discussed common issues affecting project implementation and agreed on an action plan to address them. Lengthy internal government procedures for ratifying grant agreements and fulfilling project effectiveness conditions were still among the areas of concern.

ADB’s active sovereign portfolio in Tajikistan in 2020 included 18 projects amounting to $960 million, 91% of which were financed by grants.  Transport and energy sectors remained the largest recipients of ADB financing last year, accounting for 35.9% and 34.4%, respectively. ADB also financed agriculture, natural resources, and rural development; water and other urban infrastructure and services; health; education; and finance initiatives. A further nine technical assistance grants totaled $6.9 million.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998.  Over 23 years, ADB has become the largest multilateral development partner for Tajikistan supporting a diverse range of sectors – from strategic road and energy infrastructure to food security and social services – totaling over $2.1 billion in cumulative sovereign assistance including more than $1.6 billion in grants.

Established in 1966, the Asian Development Bank is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.