The Minister of Economic Development and trade of Tajikistan, Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, has met here with a delegation of the World Bank to discuss issues related to implementation of the Digital CASA Tajikistan Project.

According to the press center of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT), the project is aimed at promoting development of the regional trade and integration as well as enhancement of competitiveness of the country in the international arena through introduction of digital basics.  

The Digital CASA Project was presented in Tajikistan in summer 2017 and it reportedly builds on an idea of connecting Central Asia and South Asia by a single fiber optic line. 

Some international financial institutions, including the World Bank, have reportedly expressed wish to finance the project.  The potential participants are Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

Digital CASA Program is expected to increase access to more affordable internet services, improve government's capacity to deliver digital public services and facilitate opportunities for digitally‐enabled income generation.

Specific components of Digital CASA Program are tailored to each country on the basis of a broad Menu of Options.

The outcomes of Digital CASA Regional Program include: increase in the number of people provided with access to the Internet; significant social benefits related to more efficient delivery of services and enhanced citizen participation, including in health, education, among others; increase in the number of e‐Services and Applications Utilizing the Shared Services Platform; development of the ICT sector and digital job opportunities through increased productivity of firms, technological innovations across industries; facilitation of cross‐border trade of knowledge, products (e.g. e‐commerce) services across the Region; and generation of indirect government revenue sources.