Tajikistan is a priority country of Switzerland’s transition cooperation with Central Asia. The focus of Swiss engagement for Central Asia, and thus for Tajikistan, is on supporting economic, social and democratic development, strengthening economic ties, promoting good governance as well as an integrated and regional approach in the complex field of transboundary water management. In partnership with the Tajik Government and private stakeholders, SECO supports programmes fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development and provision of public services and climate resilient urban development.
Tajikistan has stabilized its financial system, but economic growth remains hampered by unfavourable framework conditions. Overall, the economic situation is still very vulnerable to external shocks and was further complicated by security concerns arising from border conflicts and Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, strengthening the resilience of the economy against such external shocks is key. In this regard, Tajikistan has yet to implement systematically the strategies and programmes to develop its economy in greener, more sustainable ways, including foreign investments, and to increase women’s economic participation.
What are SECO's objectives?
SECO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) jointly define and implement the Swiss cooperation programme 2022-2025 for Central Asia. As an overall goal, Switzerland will contribute to peace and social cohesion as well as to responsive and strengthened institutions and sustainable development in order to improve the resilience of the population in Central Asia. In this framework, SECO focuses on a conducive business environment, climate-resilient urban planning as well as on sustainable and affordable public services, including:
- Water, infrastructure, urban development and climate change
SECO supports Tajik’s efforts to provide access to quality, sustainable and affordable public services and cities able to adapt to the consequences of climate change and manage their resources sustainably. It fosters the development of legal and policy frameworks for implementing integrated water resource management and aims to strengthen institutions and build the capacities needed to support a resilient and sustainable urban development.
- Competitive and environmentally friendly Business Environment
SECO is working to strengthen the business economic framework conditions and effective responsible financial services in a stable and inclusive financial sector. It also fosters micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to operate in a sustainable business environment with access to markets, business services, a skilled workforce and innovative technologies.
Good governance, gender equality are integrated in a transversal manner in all the interventions.
From 2022 to 2025, a total of some CHF 85.3 million is foreseen for Swiss transition cooperation with Tajikistan, of which around CHF 40 million is from SECO.