DUSHANBE: The signing ceremony for a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project “Accelerating Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery through Improved Livelihood, Employability, and Regional Cooperation in Ferghana Valley” took place at the Tajik Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, UNDP Tajikistan said on Friday.
The Government of the Russian Federation has allocated 2 million US dollars for the implementation of the project designed to improve livelihoods, develop entrepreneurship in rural areas of Fergana Valley of Tajikistan, as well build up cross-border cooperation with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, exchange of best practices between Central Asian countries.
The ceremony was followed by steering committee meetings of other UNDP projects “Strengthening Communities in Khatlon Rasht Valley of Tajikistan” and “Youth for Business and Innovation” also funded by the Government of the Russian Federation. Members of the committee summarized achieved results and outlined work plans for 2021.
Mr. Abdurakhmon Abdurakhmonzoda, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, Mr. Igor Lyakin-Frolov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Tajikistan, Ms. Pratibha Mehta, Resident Representative, UNDP Tajikistan and Ms. Khurshedai Kodir, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management of Tajikistan took part in the meeting. “Russia is a strategic partner of Tajikistan in long-term development of the republic. Our new joint project with UNDP in Fergana Valley is an important part of the multidimensional support that the Russian Federation provides to Tajik friends for the response to coronavirus infection,” Ambassador Lyakin-Frolov said.
“Tajikistan remains exposed to multiple social, economic and climate-related risks, which in 2020 have been exacerbated by COVID-19 impact. – PNP
