DUSHANBE, May 8, Asia-Plus - His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan has expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction of the Serena Hotel and the Ismaili Center in Dushanbe.

Prince Amyn Aga Khan arrived in Tajikistan for a short working visit on May 7.  Today morning, he was scheduled to visit Khorog to review the progress of the Pastchid Serena Hotel there as well as operation of the Khorog Serena Inn.  But because of bad weather conditions the flight to Khorog was canceled. 

According to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Tajikistan, during his stay in Dushanbe, His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan met with heads of the AKDN agencies active in Tajikistan as well as architects and designers responsible for the progress of construction the Serena Hotel and the Ismaili Center in Dushanbe as well as visited the sites of these facilities.  Prince Amyn Aga Khan expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction of the facilities, according to the source.   

The foundation of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel was laid by President Emomali Rahmon, Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev and His Highness the Aga Khan in October 2006.  The construction works of this over US$ 30 million project started earlier this year.  The design of the hotel is represented by a nine-story building, which will include various facilities incidental to a five-star international standard hotel: meeting rooms, conference / banquet hall, shopping arcade, restaurants, bar, tea lounge and coffee shop with European style side-walk café, roof-top recreation center and swimming pool.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims.  It is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.  The AKDN’s annual budget for philanthropic activity is in excess of US$300 million. 

In Tajikistan, AKDN currently implements 16 projects on construction of various facilities in the country.