KHOROG, August 15, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Issues related to improving cooperation between local authorities, public associations, private sector and donors were a major topic of a seminar that was held in Khorog on August 14. 

The seminar participants included senior representatives of the regional government, chairmen of Shugnan, Ishkashim, Rushan, Murgab and Darvoz districts as well as representatives of a number of jamoats, NGOs and international organizations.    

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Yodgor Fayzov, Executive Director of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) in Tajikistan, noted that since 2004, AKF’s Mountain Societies Development Support Program (MSDSP) has implemented the project for improvement of local governance and rise in living standards in Ishkashim, Rushan, and Shugnan districts under financial support of Sweden’s Government.  

Under the project, due to joint efforts of local public association, local authorities and international organizations dozens of socioeconomic development support projects for a total amount of more than $400,000 were designed and implemented at the first stage (2004-2007).  The projects included construction of roads, bridges, irrigation canals, schools, etc.    

During the seminar, it was noted that local authorities currently fund 20 percent of cost of each of projects and local authorities’ contributions should increase in the future. 

The second stage of the project will cover two other districts or some 30 jamoats in the region.  

The seminar also discussed other issues related to further expansion of interaction on implementation of the socioeconomic development support projects.