World Bank to provide Tajikistan with $39 mln to enhance digital services

DUSHANBE. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The World Bank has approved the Tajikistan Digital Foundations Project, with a total funding of $39 million, the financial organization said in a press release.

"The World Bank has approved a comprehensive project to enhance digital services and improve digital skills in Tajikistan, including dedicated interventions targeting rural areas. The initiative aims to improve the delivery of digitally-enabled public services and boost digital literacy, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy," it said.

The project is supported by an International Development Association (IDA) grant of $30 million and an initial $9 million grant from the Government of Switzerland.

The World Bank said over 28,000 individuals would gain digital skills, with 2,000 targeted by advanced courses aimed at improving job prospects. The extension of resilient broadband connectivity to at least 100 schools and public entities will improve learning environments and contribute to narrowing the digital divide in rural areas, it said.

Businesses will benefit from a more conducive and safer legal and regulatory framework that will enhance trust in digital transactions and a growing digital-savvy consumer base, the World Bank said.

The project is supported by the Swiss government and will be implemented in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). A Project Implementation Center (PIC) under the Tajik president's executive office will lead the project and implement these activities in collaboration with the Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (AIDT) and National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT).