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- OPEC Fund and Tajikistan Sign First Country Partnership Framework
OPEC Fund and Tajikistan Sign First Country Partnership Framework
New agreement is accompanied by a $30 million loan for a key road project linking central and eastern Tajikistan
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) and the Republic of Tajikistan have signed their first Country Partnership Framework (CPF), setting out priority areas for cooperation during 2026–2028. These include energy security, regional connectivity and food security.
The OPEC Fund also signed a $30 million loan agreement for the first phase of the Rushan–Varshez Road Rehabilitation Project. The project will strengthen a key transport corridor between central and eastern Tajikistan and improve the country's most direct road connection with China.
OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said at the signing: "The Country Partnership Framework marks an important step in our long-standing cooperation with Tajikistan and reflects our shared commitment to sustainable growth and stronger regional connectivity. The Rushan–Varshez project demonstrates this partnership in action. By improving a vital transport link, it will provide communities with more reliable access to essential services while supporting trade and economic opportunity."
During his visit, President Alkhalifa met Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda and Minister of Finance Fayziddin Qahhorzoda to discuss Tajikistan's development priorities and opportunities to expand cooperation across the public and private sectors. Discussions also covered continued OPEC Fund support for the Rogun Hydropower Plant, as well as potential future cooperation in water and energy efficiency.
The Rushan–Varshez Road Rehabilitation Project will reconstruct and upgrade 82.2 km of the 235 km Rushan–Varshez corridor. The corridor forms part of the Dushanbe–Kulma–China Border highway and Asian Highway AH66, and is a critical transport link for the remote Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region. Around 217,000 people across more than 370 settlements rely on it for access to essential goods, healthcare, education and markets.
The project is expected to directly benefit around 25,000 people through improved road safety, reduced travel times and more reliable year-round access.