- ADB has approved a USD 50 million grant to Tajikistan under its climate-responsive business environment program to drive green jobs and women-led enterprise growth.
- The second subprogram accelerates reforms in green financing, SME support, digital transformation, and climate-aligned governance, including a new green taxonomy and organic-production law.
- The initiative aims to boost climate resilience and inclusive economic diversification, while ensuring women entrepreneurs, small exporters, and tech-based businesses gain stronger access to finance and markets.
ADB has approved a grant of USD 50 million for the Government of Tajikistan to foster green-jobs growth, empower women-led enterprises, and facilitate sustainable economic reforms. The grant is under the second subprogram of the 'Enabling Climate-Responsive Business Environment Improvement Program' under the Asian Development Fund framework.
This new round builds on the results of Subprogram 1, which was approved last year, and outlines a forward-looking reform agenda geared at strengthening the long-term resilience and competitiveness of Tajikistan. According to ADB Country Director for Tajikistan, Ko Sakamoto, the focus is on expanding climate-resilient entrepreneurship, small exporter support, digital transformation, and mobilising green financing.
Among key reforms flagged are amendments to the country's leasing law to increase access to finance for SMEs, development of a green taxonomy to guide climate-aligned investment, subsidies for climate-friendly small and medium enterprises, and enactment of a new organic-production law. In addition, the grant supports improved governance and transparency: fiscal risk reporting will include climate-related shocks, and climate budget-tagging procedures will be introduced to track more effectively climate-linked public spending.
Also Read: China Resources Launches Scholarships for Master's in Corporate Governance
A digital-economy component is also included, featuring cybersecurity improvements, fiscal incentives for tech-based business activity, and the establishment of an information technology park.
Of particular note is the gender dimension of this program: women-led enterprises receive explicit support, and the green jobs emphasis links sustainability with inclusive growth. Reforms reflect ADB's broader strategy to integrate climate responsiveness, private sector development, and digital transformation into the business environment of its member countries.
To Tajikistan, the grant represents a key opportunity to diversify its economy, strengthen its small-business sector, and modernize its investment and financing systems in tandem with global pathways of green growth. Several challenges lie ahead: the country must now ensure that such reforms actually bring change on the ground, that women-led enterprises have actual access to finance and markets, and that frameworks on digital and climate governance are implemented in a timely and coherent manner.
