DUSHANBE, February 14, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov met here Monday evening with the World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations for the Europe and Central Asia Region, Mr. Theodore Ahlers, and the World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha.

The sides reportedly discussed cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank in enhancing energy, agrarian, educational, health and industrial sectors in Tajikistan.

Tajik prime minister, in particular, noted that there was still considerable room for expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the Bank.

Tajikistan became a member of the World Bank on June 4, 1993.  The World Bank has long been a development partner of Tajikistan, having provided USD 640 million in grants and concessional credits since 1996.

The World Bank’s overall mission in Tajikistan is to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and encourage a better quality of life.  To date, the Bank has supported projects and carried out non-lending activities aimed at agriculture and rural development, health, education, social security, energy, water resources, infrastructure rehabilitation, and disaster management, among other things.