Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met today here with Mr. Klaus Gerhaeusser, Director-General of Central and West Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the ADB.

Over the years of cooperation, the Bank has reportedly provided more than 1 billion U.S. dollars of preferential loans and technical assistance to Tajikistan.

Tajik leader appreciated the ADB’s support for development of the country’s economy, including development of the project for construction of rail link connecting Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

President Rahmon expressed confidence that the Asian Development Bank will participate in construction of the Tajik section of this regional railway, the president’s website said.

The two also discussed the process of preparation of the program of cooperation of Tajikistan and the ADB in 2014-2016.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and in 2003 ADB opened its resident mission in Dushanbe.  Currently, ADB is the country’s largest multilateral development partner, with a total approved portfolio of over $1.08 billion as of the end of September 2013, of which $709 million is in grants.  ADB’s assistance to the country focuses on reducing isolation, boosting infrastructure, broadening access to electricity, improving social services, and creating more income-generating opportunities.