The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $50mn grant to support Tajikistan in implementing structural reforms aimed at promoting green jobs, with a particular focus on opportunities for women.
Supported by the Asian Development Fund (ADF) under subprogram 2 of the Enabling Climate-Responsive Business Environment Improvement Program, the grant aims to promote economic diversification, improve fiscal governance and transparency, speed up digital transformation, and boost Tajikistan’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
“Building on the achievements of subprogram 1 approved last year, subprogram 2 delivers a sequenced and forward-looking package of reforms that are vital for Tajikistan’s long-term growth and resilience,” said ADB Country Director for Tajikistan, Ko Sakamoto. “By fostering green entrepreneurship, expanding opportunities for small exporters, accelerating digital transformation, and mobilizing green finance, these reforms strengthen competitiveness and help the government build a more sustainable economy that benefits all citizens.”
Key measures under subprogram 2 include:
- Amending Tajikistan’s leasing law to expand SMEs’ access to finance.
- Developing green taxonomies to guide climate-aligned investments.
- Introducing incentives for subsidized financing for climate-friendly SMEs.
- Adopting a new law on organic production.
These initiatives are designed to accelerate Tajikistan’s transition to a greener and more sustainable economy.
The program also aims to improve governance and transparency by expanding fiscal risk reporting to include climate-related shocks and introducing climate budget tagging to track expenditures more effectively. Digital transformation efforts are further supported through improved cybersecurity, fiscal incentives for tech-driven businesses, and the establishment of an information technology park.
The program also enhances Tajikistan’s export competitiveness and investment environment. Key measures include providing targeted support for small exporters, prioritizing climate-friendly and women-led businesses for export assistance, and issuing the country’s first sovereign green bonds to attract sustainable finance.
Implemented in close collaboration with development partners, the program draws on global best practices to strengthen investor confidence, stimulate private sector growth, and improve the overall business climate.
Since joining ADB in 1998, Tajikistan has benefited from numerous development projects, including upgraded transport links, modernized irrigation and water supply systems, and the construction of hospitals, schools, power transmission lines, and hydropower plants.
The ADF provides grants to the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific. Between 2021 and 2024, it helped 384,000 people rise out of poverty and generated approximately 500,000 jobs.
Founded in 1966, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region, and continues to be a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth throughout Asia and the Pacific.
