World Bank Official Praises Tajikistan

Annette Dixon, director of the bank's east and Central Asia operations, said on May 30 that authorities had made "impressive progress" on stabilizing the economy. She added that the country had benefited from efforts to reduce debt levels.

"Tajikistan has made an impressive progress on stabilizing the economy and the country socially and now is embarking on an important program of improving the business climate," Dixon was quoted as saying by AFP.

Several new Tajik projects are under discussion between the World Bank and the government in Dushanbe, including to foster foreign investment and reform public administration, Dixon said. 

The World Bank has lent Tajikistan some $400 million since the country achieved independence, with nearly $60 million planned in grants and loans this year, according to AFP.