WASHINGTON, June 23, 2010 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$10 million grant as additional financing for the Ferghana Valley Water Resource Management Project in Tajikistan. The main objective of the additional financing is to increase the coverage of the drained and irrigated areas in Bobojon Gafurov and Kannibodom districts, strengthen the early warning system of the Kayrakkum dam, and assess geotechnical risks associated with the dam.
The additional financing will help increase the capacity of raivodkhoses and water users’ association, and will help finance a cost overrun under the project due to the increased cost of works and goods.
“These funds will support one of the important development goals in Tajikistan which is to increase agricultural productivity,” said Chiara Bronchi, World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan. “Achieving this goal is essential for the country’s economic perspective.”
Tajikistan became a member of the World Bank and the International Development Association in 1993. Since then, 37 projects totaling US$529 million have been supported. Currently in Tajikistan there are 19 ongoing World Bank supported projects in health, education, agriculture, water and energy, municipal infrastructure, and public sector management that are helping Tajikistan’s poorest to weather the financial crisis and pave the way for sustainable economic development.
