DUSHANBE, June 26, 2013, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament has ratified a loan agreement between the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD) and the State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (KMK - Tajikistan’s state-owned agency responsible for basic municipal services) on the second phase of rehabilitation of water supply systems in northern and southern cities of Tajikistan.

A regular sitting of the fourth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fourth convocation, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, was held on June 26.

Speaking at the session, KMK head Alimurod Taghoymurodov noted that at present only 48.6 percent of the country’s population had access to safe drinking water meeting international standards.

“To improve provision of safe drinking water to the population, Tajikistan has signed a number of loan agreements with international financial institutions, including EBRD,” Taghoymurodov said, noting that those projects target some 20 cities and districts.

According to him, the Southern and North Tajik Water Rehabilitation II provides for improving the municipal water services in the North Tajik cities of Istaravshan, Panjakent, Shahriston and Zafarobod and in the South Tajik districts of Yovon and Rumi.

“15.5 million USD, including US$8.5 million grant, are provided for improvement of the water municipal services in four cities in northern Tajikistan and 12 million USD, including US$6 million grant, are provided for improvement of the municipal water services in southern Tajikistan,” Taghoymurodov said, noting that the project would be finished at the end of 2016.

Deputy Finance Minister, Ruhullo Hakimov, noted that the loan was provided for 15 years at an annual interest rate of one percent.