DUSHANBE, May 11, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- On May 8, President Emomali Rahmon received visiting World Bank Vice-President Shigeo Katsu, according to presidential press service.

In the course of the talks, the sides discussed a broad range of issues related to cooperation between Tajikistan and the World Bank.

They, in particular, discussed Tajikistan’s main macroeconomic indicators, measures to mitigate effects of the global economic slowdown, support to the national budget and commercial banks, solution of problems connected with the cotton sector’s debts, promotion of development of private entrepreneurship and use of Tajikistan’s hydropower resources and their benefit for the whole region, the press service said.

President Rahmon expressed gratitude to the World Bank for the grants of 20 million U.S. dollars and 12 million U.S. dollars to support the country’s national budget and help minimize the impact of the global financial and economic crisis.

For his part, Mr. Shigeo Katsu noted that in case of appearance of new sources, the World Bank would be able to provide additional grants to support Tajikistan’s economy under conditions of the crisis, presidential press service said.