DUSHANBE, September 16, Asia-Plus - China Development Bank (CDB) has provided a loan of US$10 million to Tajikistan to support its agrarian sector.

Murodali Alimardonov, the head of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), and Chen Yuan, the president of China Development Bank, signed the loan agreement in Dushanbe on September 14. 

A source in the Tajik central bank said that Chen noted after the agreement-signing ceremony that his bank intends to expand cooperation with Tajikistan in the future as well, increasing the amount of loans to support the republic’s economy. 

Alimardonov, for his part, said that Tajikistan could benefit from China’s experience in banking and economic reforms. 

”China Development Bank is ready to invest in development of the coal industry and the improvement of city infrastructures in Tajikistan,” Chen said. 

The same day, Alimardonov and China’s Exim (Export/Import) Bank head Lee Gang signed a cooperation agreement in Dushanbe.

A Tajik central bank source said the agreement includes assistance on bank accounts, exchange of information on development of the economy and financial sector, the financial laws and markets of Tajikistan and China, as well as information about ongoing and potential projects, and technical and training assistance for Tajik bank personnel. 

During the meeting it was noted that China’s Exim Bank is interested in investing in Tajikistan’s energy, transportation and telecommunications industries. Under the agreement Exim Bank fund projects implemented by Tajik and Chinese enterprises after assessing their prospects.