DUSHANBE, January 28, 2013, Asia-Plus -- The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) hosted a special reception Thursday (January 24) evening at the Dushanbe Serena Hotel to thank the Government of Tajikistan and its various development partners for their support, and to honor the service of the outgoing Resident Representative, Munir Merali, who concludes his seven year tenure in Tajikistan on Monday, press release issued by AKDN Tajikistan said

Attending the reception were senior government officials including the First Deputy Prime Minister, HE Mr. Matlubkhon Davlatov, and the State Advisor to the President, HE Mr. Erkin Rahmatulloyev.  In his remarks Mr. Davlatov said: “It is worth to mention that the achievements of such cooperation first of all is the symbol of respect and friendly and brotherly relationship between the Head of our State, HE Emomali Rahmon and the Leader of the World Ismailis, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.”  He also added, “In this context, realization and implementation of all this at the highest level is no doubt closely connected to the hard work and efforts of the AKDN Resident Representative in the country. Therefore we highly appreciate Mr. Munir Merali’s contribution to these results and his cooperation.”

Also in attendance were various ambassadors from the diplomatic community including Germany, France, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.  HE Stephen Millar, Ambassador of Canada, presented Mr. Merali with a letter from the Honorable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs for Canada, in which she thanked Mr. Merali for his commitment as Warden for Canadian citizens in Tajikistan.  In her message she wrote: “With more citizens travelling and living overseas every year, we continue to rely on dedicated individuals to assist in communicating with and disseminating information to others on the ground when crisis occurs. Wardens like you often make that crucial difference in times of great need and I would like to thank you for taking on this important role.”

Members of the international community were also in attendance to bid farewell to Mr. Merali, including the Country Managers of the World Bank, the IMF, EBRD, ADB, USAID and SDC, along with the heads of AKDN agencies.

Speaking on behalf of the AKDN Heads of Agencies, and in the context as President of the Ismaili Council for Tajikistan, Dr. Sharofat Mamadambarova, also expressed her appreciation and thanked Mr. Merali for playing a key role in the completion and opening of the Ismaili Center Dushanbe and the establishment of the Jamati Institutions in Tajikistan.

In his farewell speech, Mr. Merali thanked the President, HE Emomali Rahmon and the Government of Tajikistan for rendering their support to the Network and for supporting the vision of His Highness the Aga Khan. Mr. Merali also took the opportunity to introduce the next Resident Representative to Tajikistan, Mr. Akbarali Pesnani.

The past decade has seen a number of strong collaborations between the Network, the government, and international donors and partners, including the establishment of Pamir Energy, which serves as the most successful example of a public-private partnership in Central Asia; the confluence of a partnership between the Government of Tajikistan, the World Bank and IFC, SDC and the Network.

Other recent investments include the establishment of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel designed to develop indigenous capacity within the hospitality industry, and the establishment of four cross-border bridges with Afghanistan, which will see the upcoming opening of a fifth bridge in Shouroobod (Khatlon province) to be undertaken in March of this year, which are designed to stimulate cross-border trade and regional cooperation.  In the areas of education, the Network has established Early Childhood Education Centers and is seeking to develop a center of post-secondary educational excellence with the establishment of the University of Central Asia.  In the field of healthcare, the Network has also recently established the Regional Diagnostic Center at Khorog General Hospital, providing diagnostic services to patients in Tajikistan and Northern Afghanistan.  As part of its overall poverty alleviation strategy, the Network has also established the First Microfinance Bank of Tajikistan (FMFB); the first fully licensed commercial bank in the country to have a principal focus on micro-credit lending. In addition to its head office in Dushanbe, FMFB has branches in Khorog, Rasht, Khujand, and Qurhghon Teppa, and has an active loan portfolio in excess of $25m USD.

Overall, the Aga Khan Development Network serves as Tajikistan’s largest private employer, through a committed staff of 3500 in 8 agencies.  It is also the largest taxpayer and remains dedicated towards improving the long-term livelihoods, living conditions, and economic opportunities of all Tajiks.