|
Europe and Central Asia Department,
1 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5HE
Tel:020 7023 0463 | Fax:020 7023 1024
Map courtesy of the FCO
|
Tajikistan
Tajikistan lies at the south-eastern corner of Central Asia, bordering
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Afghanistan. It is the poorest of the
post-Soviet countries and although poverty and unemployment levels are high,
some improvements have been made in recent years.
Background
Population: 7 million
Poverty (people living below $2.15 per day): 64%
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita: $402
Tajikistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. A year later
civil war broke out, claiming around 60,000 lives and damaging the economy.
However, since the peace agreement of 1997 the country has enjoyed relative
stability.
With the assistance of donors, the Government of Tajikistan has developed a
long term National Development Strategy (NDS) and medium term
 Poverty
Reduction Strategy (PRS). These hope to provide the Government with a
coherent platform for development. To achieve these development goals, economic
reform, greater transparency and improvements in government are needed, along
with investment.
Tajikistan’s people were impoverished as a result of the civil war and the
transition to a market economy. However, since 1999 the country has experienced
steady economic growth, which has led to a decline in poverty (from 83% in 1999
to 64% in 2003).
In recent years labour migration has increased to other former Soviet
republics, mainly Russia and Kazakhstan. It is estimated that remittances now
account for over 40% of GDP. Remittances have helped to lift a large number of
households out of poverty, especially in rural areas. However, Tajikistan still
faces significant development challenges and is unlikely to meet all but one
(Education) of
the Millennium Development Goals.
 Back to top
DFID activity in Tajikistan
Tajikistan is one of DFID’s focal countries in the
2004-2007 Regional
Assistance Plan for Central Asia
 (1
mb). DFID has been present in Tajikistan since 2003 and is working with the
Government and donors to support the eradication of poverty and promote
sustainable development.
DFID has provided £6.3 million to Tajikistan during the period 2003 to 2007,
with an allocation of £3.5 million for 2006-2007. Its programme has focused on the following areas:
In addition, DFID provides regional support to HIV/AIDS programmes in the
country, a part of which is the promotion of harm reduction activities for
high-risk groups. The programme will complement World Bank and United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional HIV/AIDS projects by
supporting the implementation of the Government’s own strategies.
DFID works through other donor agencies and supports the Government’s Poverty
Reduction Strategy. Our programme focuses on the two core areas of governance
and economic growth.
Back to top
Other donors in Tajikistan
International financial institutions such as the World Bank and Asian
Development Bank (ADB) have provided substantial support to Tajikistan. Other
donors include the European Union (EU), USAID, the
Swedish
International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA), the
Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) and the
Japan
International Co-operation Agency (JICA). The European Commission (EC) is
planning to establish full delegation in Tajikistan in the next two years.
International non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also operate in the country.
The
Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), which was established in March 2001,
funds initiatives to support peace in Central Asian countries, including
Tajikistan.
Back to top
Links
Last updated: 13th April 2007
Back to top
| 
Directgov |
