DUSHANBE, February 10, 2014, Asia-Plus – On Monday February 10, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon received visiting Vice-President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, Ms. Laura Tuck, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

In the course of the talks, Rahmon reportedly appreciated World Bank’s support for implementation of social and economic development projects in Tajikistan.

Tajik leader, in particular, noted that the Bank has provided 750 million U.S. dollars in preferential loans, grants and technical assistance over the years of partnership.    

Rahmon stressed that the active portfolio of the World Bank in Tajikistan currently consists of 13 projects with a net commitment of US$223 million, the president’s website noted.

A special attention was reportedly given to effective implementation of the World Bank Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Tajikistan during the period of 2015-2018.

Rahmon and Tuck also exchanged views on the assessment studies for the Roghun hydroelectricity project, Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), and financing of construction of Tajikistan’s section of the rail link that will connect Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, the website said.

Ms. Laura Tuck was appointed as the World Bank’s Vice President for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) on September 24, 2013, after serving for three months as Acting ECA Vice President.  Prior to her current position, Ms. Tuck served for six months as the Director for Strategy and Operations in ECA and held that same position from September 2011 until February 2012 in the Middle East and North Africa Region. Ms. Tuck was the Director for Sustainable Development in Latin America for six years from 2006-2011, where she was responsible for environment and natural resources, agriculture and rural development, energy, transport, water supply and sanitation, hazard risk management, urban development and social development.