Today, at the Palace of the Nation, the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon received the World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller.

The two sides discussed the state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the World Bank (WB) in the areas of shared interest.

It was highlighted that over twenty-three years of partnership the World Bank Group has established effective cooperation with Tajikistan at various stages of development, in particular in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and support of state budget, the social sector and other priority areas.

The interlocutors, in particular, noted that the WB has provided preferential loans, grants and technical assistance.

It was expressed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation and highlighted that the current active WB projects in various socio-economic sectors of Tajikistan are implemented in the amount of 350 million US dollars.

A special attention was given to effective implementation of the World Bank Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Tajikistan for the period of five years, in particular, in the areas of development of private and social sectors, and strengthening regional ties.

In the course of the talks, interlocutors emphasized the importance of developing and implementing projects for the prevention of risks of natural disasters, restoration and shore protection works on the rivers of Tajikistan within this important Strategy.

Positive suggestions were made for successful continuation of cooperation for the implementation of CASA-1000 power transmission project, reconstruction and modernization of the Nurek hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and ways of raising additional funds for financing of those projects, as well as the development of the transport sector and road infrastructure.

The meeting also discussed the fruitful cooperation for the implementation of national strategies and programs for the development of Tajikistan, assistance to reduce the impact of the global financial and economic crisis.