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Japan, EBRD provide further support for Tajik telecoms
Japan is providing a further €300,000 to complement the EBRD's ongoing support to the Government of Tajikistan in developing its telecommunications regulatory framework. The contribution from the Japan Europe Co-operation Fund will help finance the second phase of a programme that aims to create a fairer and more transparent telecoms operating environment, which will ultimately encourage further investment into the sector.
Japan has now contributed more than €2 million to support change in the Tajikistan telecoms sector. Nuridin Mukhitdinov, the country's Minister of Communications, said the funds have played a critical role.
"Tajikistan has commenced on the path of regulatory reform in accordance with international standards to make a level playing field in order to attract new investment into the sector," he said. "We have made a good start under phase 1 of the EBRD project, and this new funding from Japan will enable us to continue this vital work."
Kunimitsu Yoshinaga, the EBRD Board Director representing Japan, said Tajikistan is recognised as an important country for Japan, which is glad to make a modest contribution to important structural reform in Tajikistan's telecommunications sector. "Japan stands ready to support development and transition in Tajikistan," Mr Yoshinaga said.
The EBRD's Institutional Development Technical Assistance programme, amounting to €1.1 million, complements the $13 million (€13.3 million) loan for modernisation of Tajikistan's fixed-line telecommunications network that was signed between the Bank and Tajiktelecom in October 2001.
Under Phase 1, Tajikistan set out key milestones, including further liberalisation of the market, establishment of an independent regulator and privatisation of state-owned incumbent operator, JSC "Tajiktelecom." In April, the Parliament passed a new Telecommunications Law, and much work has been done to develop the regulatory function. Under Phase II, this work will be extended to encompass account licensing, interconnection and tariff policies, and clear responsibilities for the various players in the sector.
Izzet Güney, Director of the EBRD's Telecommunications, Informatics and Media Team, said it is important that the modernisation of Tajikistan's network infrastructure is complemented by modernisation of the legal basis for the sector. He also expressed appreciation for the continued support of Japan as a major provider of donor finance in Tajikistan and in other countries.
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