DUSHANBE, April 19, Asia-Plus -- Today, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Deputy Director General Xianbin Yao begins a two-day official visit to Tajikistan – his first to the country –for talks with high-ranking Tajik state officials and donors.

            Tatiana Yevstifeyeva, chief administrative assistant, ADB Resident Mission in Tajikistan, said that during his stay in Dushanbe, Xianbin Yao is scheduled to meet President Emomali Rahmon and senior government officials to discuss ADB’s assistance program in Tajikistan, which focuses on strengthening rural development, social sectors, and regional cooperation, and rehabilitating basic infrastructure. 

He will also meet with donor representatives in the country, according to her.      

Mr. Yao, who joined ADB in 1991, is the Deputy Director General of the Central and West Asia Department covering 10 countries – Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

On April 21, Mr. Yao will leave the country.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.  In 2006, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling $8.5 billion, and technical assistance amounting to almost $242 million.