Alan is first to Tajikistan
26 October 2011
Alan became the first British Minister to travel to the Central Asian country of Tajikistan in October when he visited DFID projects in the region as International Development Minister.
The trip coincided with the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the birth of the country and allowed Alan to meet with President Emomali Rahmon as well as observe progress in the region. Alan saw firsthand DFID projects on the Afghanistan border, met women entrepreneurs engaging in cross –border trade, and visited a UK-supported cotton production centre.
Alan said: “Tajikistan is rightly enjoying its 20th anniversary celebrations; however the legacy of the Soviet era has left many problems. Child malnutrition rates are still high, and many men still have to leave the country in search of jobs, leaving women to work the land in harsh and exploitative conditions. Yet the future could be bright and promising for Tajikistan, and there are decision makers here we can work with. Tajikistan could be a central success story.”
Photo: Crown Copyright