Viewing results 25 - 30 of 30
Following a meeting between government delegations, Chairmen of the National Security Committee of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiyev, and Tajikistan, Saimumin Yatimov, released a statement announcing that over 90% of the border between the two countries has now been agreed upon. “As a result of the work of the intergovernmental commission, agreements were reached on the harmonization of most of the state border - more than 90%,” Tashiyev said. “Work on the remaining sections will be completed soon, starting with Kayragach, Kulundu, Maksat, Arka, Arka-1, Arka-2, Zhany-Zher and up to Zhiydelik. The Working Group has fully completed the coordination. At the moment, we have almost completed work on the disputed areas about which there were questions." According to Tashiyev, several more meetings will be necessary to complete the demarcation and delimitation of the state border. In turn, Yatimov noted that vital issues were discussed at the meeting of the delegations. “There is a common interest, common goals, and common causes between the two states,” he said. “This is the security and socio-economic development of our states. A lot of work has been done today - we have advanced more than 120 kilometers, and have agreed on these issues in principle. If we take the total length of the state border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Kydyrshayevich and I can confirm that over 90% of the state border has been agreed. We are really close to solving these issues.”
A new agreement has been reached between Tajikistan and China, which will bring the republic closer to having high-speed internet throughout the country after Tajikistan's Communications Service and a subsidiary of HUAWEI signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of digital technologies. This will lead to the supply and installation of 7,600 base stations with GSM/UMS/LTD/5G as standard, it was reported. “This will contribute to the development of mobile communications and fixed broadband networks in Tajikistan,” the regulator said in a statement. “At the same time, given the rapid development of information technology, this will allow operators to have instant access to the latest equipment.” The agreement also provides for cooperation and the involvement of personnel in the field of communications, mobile operators and Huawei Technology Tajikistan specialists in the development of a single modernization project. The agreement was signed by the Head of the Communications Service, Bek Saburov, and the CEO of Huawei's subsidiary, Ma Chan, as part of the State Program for the Improvement and Development of Mobile Communications in 2024-2028. Earlier, the Communications Service made the unexpected decision to allow two private companies to supply internet to the country through international channels. According to a Sputnik Tajikistan source, the companies are TT Mobile (MegaFon), and Indigo Tajikistan (Tcell).
As outlined in a press release on the IFC website, a new online e-system for businesses in Tajikistan developed with IFC support is being launched to help the government increase transparency, reduce its administrative burden, and improve the country's investment climate, the IFC (a member of the World Bank Group) said on December 11th. The IFC has been working with Tajikistan's State Committee on Investment and State Property Management for almost two years to help develop the new e-Services for Business System with support from the government of Switzerland. The new portal consists of: an e-Registry database comprising all existing licenses and permission documents with details of their issuance; an e-Inspection system to enable the planning and conduction of inspections and report results online; and an e-Permit platform to apply for licenses and permission documents. The new online system will help increase the transparency of activities and services provided by state authorities and minimize costs for the private sector to access information, apply for licenses and permits, provide feedback, and report on problems in the work of inspection and licensing bodies. "Simplifying administrative procedures and reducing the state impact on business activities by - among other things - reducing the number of inspections is essential to improve business confidence and attract investment," said Khurshedai Qodir, Deputy Chairperson of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management. The portal will also enable the committee to have valuable real-time data on the number of inspections conducted and licenses and permits requested and issued. It will also enable monitoring of the extent to which state bodies comply with legal requirements in carrying out their duties. "Developing Tajikistan's private sector without improving the conditions it operates in is practically impossible," said Farukh Sultonov, IFC Country Officer in Tajikistan. "Accessible administrative systems are key to help public authorities cut bureaucracy, reduce costs and time for the private sector, and strengthen the country's investment climate."
A nomination from Tajikistan for the art of atlas and adras weaving was included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan reported. This decision was made within the framework of the 18th session of the Interstate Committee on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, which began on December 4th in the city of Kasane (Botswana), where representatives of the countries for the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage are taking part. Meetings will continue until December 9th. Tajikistan has a particularly proud history of national clothing culture, and the secrets of weavers are passed down from generation to generation. In the Sughd region, the Atlas Khujand enterprise operates and enjoys benefits and constant support from President Emomali Rahmon. The company's silks, satin and adras - which combines both silk and cotton - are in great demand globally. Their production, which comprises many stages, requires special skills and training. Traditionally, national costumes for performances and wedding dresses are made of satin. The republic annually celebrates the holiday, “Tajik Atlas and Adras."
The amount held in the reserve fund of the President of Tajikistan, which is spent at the discretion of the head of the country, will increase by 68-million somoni (US$6.25-million) next year, bringing the total set to be held by 2024 to over 563-million somoni (US$51.73-million). This figure was revealed in the law on the state budget of Tajikistan for the next year, which will come into force on January 1st. The volume of the fund has increased year on year from 404-million somoni in 2021 and 438.5-million somoni in 2022. The volume of the fund is used as an indicator on accounts, and will be used in the calculation of taxes and fines in Tajikistan. The funds are used at the discretion of President Emomali Rahmon for charity, social work, and emergency situations. In particular, in recent years, republican Olympiads in the field of education and culture have been held using the reserve funds. In 2020, additional allowances were paid from the fund to doctors who worked under the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, prizes were paid from the President's fund to athletes who won medals in international competitions. The allocation of scholarships for the education of Tajik citizens in higher educational institutions abroad is estimated from other sections of the fund's expenses.
As outlined in a press release on the EDB website, in the summer of 2023, Central Asia was faced once again with water shortages, which have a significant impact on agriculture. The sector relies on irrigation, which consumes up to 80% of available water, and has a poor track record with regard to the efficient use of water resources. The irrigation infrastructure is over 50 years old. More than half of all irrigated land has become salinized, and 40% of water is lost through irrigation canals. A new Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) study entitled “Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia” outlines ten practical steps for preserving irrigated land potential and promoting water conservation. The list includes four recommendations for adoption at a regional level and six at a national level. The measures are designed to save enough water each year to support sustainable development. Implementing the measures will require collaboration between governments, farmers and multilateral development institutions. The need for urgent action is intensified by the anticipated reduction in the flow of the Amu Darya River. Water deficit is a key structural constraint to socio-economic development in Central Asia. This region is among the most vulnerable to climate change, with temperatures rising at a faster rate than the global average. Periods of drought and low water are becoming more frequent, and the hydrological patterns of rivers and groundwater supplies are undergoing change. Glacier areas have been diminishing rapidly, with a 30% decrease over the last 50 years. Climate change is leading to reduced river flows at a time when the region’s demand for water is growing rapidly. The primary solution to the water deficit lies in improving irrigation practices. Agriculture in Central Asia is the largest consumer of water, with irrigation accounting for 100.4 km3 of the total 127.3 km3 (80%) of water used in the region in 2020. Historically, irrigation has played a vital role in developing agriculture and ensuring food security in the region. Central Asia boasts 10.1 million hectares of irrigated land, representing approximately 2.9% of the world’s total. This irrigated land generates nearly 66% of the region’s gross agricultural output in terms of value. However, Central Asia’s irrigation infrastructure is highly degraded and technically inadequate. It lacks the equipment needed for metering and distributing water for irrigation and controlling its use in the field. The average age of the irrigation infrastructure is over 50 years. Up to half of irrigated land is salinized. Water use in agriculture is inefficient, with 40% of water lost in the irrigation canal system. A commitment to conserving water appears to be the only solution to protecting the potential of irrigated land and food security in Central Asia. This shift in approach is imperative not only because of climate change and escalating water demand, but also to mitigate the anticipated decrease in the flow of the Amu Darya River from Afghanistan. By 2028, the combined effects of climate change, low-water periods and the commissioning of the Kosh-Tepa Canal in...
