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Tajikistan's Road Transport System - Focus of International Seminar

DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN (05 November 2009) — Government officials, donors, private sector and civil society representatives attended an international seminar in Dushanbe on Wednesday to discuss the development of the road transport system in Tajikistan.

The seminar, "Towards Efficient Road Transport", was organized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Tajikistan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

"For a landlocked country, like Tajikistan, effective and efficient transport infrastructure is vital," said Makoto Ojiro, ADB’s Country Director for Tajikistan, who co-chaired the seminar. "The transport sector remains the priority of ADB's operations in Tajikistan, and we will continue our assistance in this sector."

The one-day seminar focused on Tajikistan's policy and strategy for road sector development, plans for the introduction of toll roads, and trade and connectivity issues in Central Asia. Spain's experience in road maintenance through public-private partnership, and toll road development in Japan and the People's Republic of China, were also discussed.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998. ADB has been supporting poverty reduction in the country through investments in infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, social sector, and regional cooperation. As of October 2009, ADB has approved $372.54 million in loans, $33.89 million in technical assistance, and $160.77 million in grants to Tajikistan.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2008, it approved $10.5 billion of loans, $811.4 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to $274.5 million.

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