Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, the Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank signed Financing Agreements for three development projects that will support the Government’s reform efforts in social protection, improve the water supply services in Dushanbe and hydro-meteorological services in Central Asia. The signing ceremony took place in the Ministry of Finance and was attended by the World Bank representatives and Government officials. All the three projects were approved earlier this year by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on a grant basis.

Tajikistan Social Safety Net Strengthening Project for a total amount of USD 3.2 million equivalent has the overall development objective of improving the capacity of the Government of Tajikistan to plan, monitor, and manage social assistance for the poor through the development of a national registry of social protection and the provision of training, equipment and related items for improving this capacity.

The Second Dushanbe Water Supply Project for a total amount of USD 16 million equivalent intends to improve water utility performance and water supply services in selected areas of Dushanbe through water treatment and distribution infrastructure upgrades, metering programs and improved billing and collection systems, and technical assistance and capacity-building activities to strengthen the Dushanbe Vodokanal management and operational performance.

The objective of the Central Asia Hydrometeorology Modernization Project for USD 27.7 million equivalent is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of hydro-meteorological services in Central Asia, with particular focus on the Kyrgyz Republic and Republic of Tajikistan. The Project will help reduce human and economic losses from hazardous weather events and diminish economic losses related to the high degree of uncertainty for businesses and agriculture caused by weather and climate-related risks. Total project cost is USD 27.7 million, of which International Development Association provides USD 20.7 million and Pilot Program for Climate Resilience provides USD 7 million. The total amount provided for Tajikistan is USD 13 million.

“Our partnership with the World Bank under the current Country Partnership Strategy is aimed at poverty reduction and overall economic development. These projects are an integral part of these efforts, and are expected to provide social protection and support to the most vulnerable people, cleaner water for residents of Dushanbe and better hydro-meteorological services throughout our region”, said Mr. Safarali Nadjmiddinov, the Tajik Minister of Finance.

“These package of grant funding, for three projects, represents the wide range of Bank assistance to the people of Tajikistan. People will benefit through better warning of climate-related events, better targeting of financial benefits to the poorest citizens, and expanded access to clean and reliable water in the capital. All these projects are central for the Government’s national development and poverty reduction strategies and we look forward to their successful implementation”, said Ms. Marsha Olive, the World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan.

The Republic of Tajikistan became a member of the World Bank in 1993. The active portfolio of the World Bank in Tajikistan currently consists of 16 projects with net commitment of US$ 223 million equivalent. The largest share of ongoing portfolio is in agriculture and rural development (31 percent), followed by energy (23 percent), water (17 percent), education (15 percent), health (8 percent), and economic policy and public sector (6 percent).