DUSHANBE, November 27, Asia-Plus  -- A press conference dedicated to presentation of the Community Connections Program was held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe on November 27.  

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Steve Kelly, Deputy Resident Representative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said that the USAID-funded Community Connections Program offers three-week practical trainings in the united States for leaders of professional and business organizations in Tajikistan.

According to him, the program promotes development of mutual cooperation between citizens of Tajikistan and the United States in addressing common professional challenges while expanding cultural exchange between the United States and Tajikistan.   

Mr. Kelly also noted that USAID invites Tajik specialists to participate in an open contest among specialists in the following spheres: town-planning; bank loans; library science, hospital management, system of management of energy resources. 

The competitively selected participants will take practical training in the united States in January 2008.    

The Community Connections Program is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  The USAID-funded Community Connections Program provides an important opportunity for citizens of the United States and Tajikistan to work together to address common professional challenges while expanding their social and cultural understanding.  As business and professional communities of both countries rapidly become integrated, opportunities for positive relations between American people and the people of Tajikistan are increasingly important. The Community Connections Program offers community-based, three-to-five week practical trainings in the United States for business and professional organization leaders from Tajikistan.