The new multi-year indicative program of the European Union for Tajikistan for 2024-2027 is in the development stage, and the funding volume will be determined in 2024, Asiaplustj.info reports.
This was discussed during the 10th meeting of the Cooperation Committee between Tajikistan and the European Union in Brussels, where an official delegation from Tajikistan arrived. The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, Zavki Zavkizoda, and the head of the Central Asia Department of the European Commission, Luke Devin, the Ministry of Economic Development of Tajikistan announced.
The parties also positively assessed the progress of preparing the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Tajikistan and the EU and emphasized the need to expedite the coordination process.
It was noted that since 2012, the European Union has allocated 345 million euros for the development of the Tajik economy, and in 2022, the trade turnover between the countries reached $490 million.
In particular, Luke Devin reported that within the first stage of the EU's Indicative Program for 2021-2024, Tajikistan was allocated 91 million euros. 80 million euros were allocated for Tajikistan's priority projects, including BOMCA and CADAP.
Additionally, in response to Tajikistan's request, the EU has resumed budget support for the country, providing 30 million euros for these purposes, of which 4 million has already been allocated, said Devin.
"The EU has also initiated additional development projects in the textile sector, 'Trade Readiness,' and reforms in the energy industry, with a total amount of 64.5 million euros," the statement said.
Zavki Zavkizoda, in turn, presented a brief overview of Tajikistan's achievements and requested the EC to increase funding for priority areas of the country's development. Green energy (construction of hydroelectric power stations), industry, agriculture, transport and logistics, and digitization were highlighted among these directions.
The Tajik side also proposed allocating funds for the construction of the Rogun HPP and such projects as the "Strategy for the Development of the 'Green' Economy," "Mid-Term Program for the Development of the Digital Economy until 2025," "Development of Social Infrastructure," "Program for Combating Drug Trafficking in Central Asia (CADAP-7)," and "Creation of Multifunctional Communication Technologies between the Border Troops of the SCNS."
"The EU representative highly appreciated the achievements of the republic in the field of economic and social development and expressed readiness to allocate funding in the specified priority sectors," the statement said.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 29, 2023