The Government of Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank have signed two previously approved grants totaling $71 million, which are aimed at creating a climate-resilient business environment, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting renewable energy generation.

The agreements were signed in Dushanbe on August 12 by Tajik Finance Minister Fayziddin Kahhorzoda and ADB Permanent Representative to the Republic Shanni Campbell.

"The $50 million climate-resilient Business Environment Improvement Program is aimed at transforming the business environment in Tajikistan, including through digitalization, reforms to increase exports, improved infrastructure management, financial transparency and support for climate-resilient SMEs," the Bank's representative office in the republic said in a press release.

Another grant in the amount of $21 million will allow replacing unit No. 4 at the Head HPP (Sarband HPP), which failed in 2019 due to damage to mechanical equipment. After the complete modernization of the HPP, its installed capacity will increase from 240 megawatts in 2012 to 274 megawatts by 2026.

The first grant was approved by the ADB Board of Directors in late July, and the second in early August.

ADB is Tajikistan's largest financial donor, which has supported a wide range of sectors for 26 years - from strategic road and energy infrastructure to healthcare, education, agriculture, urban development, public sector management and finance.

Over the years, Tajikistan has received over $2.6 billion from ADB, including grants worth more than $2 billion.

Since 2018, Tajikistan has been receiving financial assistance from the ADB exclusively free of charge.