PRESIDENT EMOMALI RAHMON MEETS EBRD BUSINESS GROUP DIRECTOR

           Dushanbe, April 2. (NIAT "Khovar"). — On April 1st, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon the Director of the Business Group for Central Asia and the Caucasus of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Olivier Descamps.           At the meeting, issues of Tajikistan's cooperation with this influential international financial institution, including measures of minimizing the impact of the world financial crisis, were discussed.            As the Presidential Press Service informed the "Khovar" news agency, the parties noted with satisfaction that at present, 47 EBRD-funded projects are in the process of implementation in Tajikistan, their total cost exceeding US$ 150m.            Moreover, this year the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development plans to start implementing other 12 projects in this country, their total cost reaching US$ 70m.            The parties conducted a substantial talk concerning anti-crisis measures of Tajikistan's Government, ways of raising crediting capability of joint-stock banks and micro-crediting organizations, implementation of joint projects in agriculture, energy and other sectors, improvement of investments climate and broadening support for small and medium businesses.            It was stressed that main directions of EBRD cooperation with Tajikistan include rendering help to joint-stock banks and micro-financing organizations, agricultural and energy sectors.Olivier Descamps stated that the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development approves of the Tajik Government's policy aimed at rendering help to agriculture and other top-priority sectors of national economy.             Among main priorities of EBRD cooperation with Tajikistan in energy sector, the funding of the construction of low and medium capacity hydropower stations was also mentioned.             According to Olivier Descamps, his Bank determined four directions of helping Tajikistan minimize the impact of the world financial crisis. Those are the increase in funding on the account of the European Union, giving grants on the account of EBRD own means, accelerating the implementation of ongoing projects and shortening terms of working out new ones.            Having given a high appraisal of the Tajik Government's measures aimed at the improvement of investing climate in the country, Olivier Descamps stressed, "The fact that the process of improving investing climate is under personal control of the President, has already caused the rise of confidence among investors".           Olivier Descamps also stated that the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development is deeply interested in broadening the cooperation with Tajikistan and rendering the country economic assistance.