Urban water supply in Tajikistan is generally in bad condition due to the lack of investments and maintenance since the break-up of the Soviet Union as well as to the insufficient institutional, financial and technical capacities. Deteriorated assets for water supply and wastewater collection and very limited wastewater treatment and high operations and maintenance costs due to the poor state of the assets are the main problems in water sector and citizens do not have reliable access to safe drinking water and people especially children, are frequently the ill with infections water-borne diseases.  

Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) intends to contribute to this second phase of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) programme by co-financing projects in 3 cities in the North of Tajikistan and in Khorog. The overall objective of the Tajik Water Phase II is to further improve living conditions and economic opportunities of 21 cities through an improved water supply and sanitation. This includes safe and inclusive access to water and waste water treatment respectively as well as better hygiene.

“More than 70 million of USD has been contributed by the Swiss Government in water sector of Tajikistan and I am pleased that this agreement is another significant step in our long cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan. As water is the source of life and is very important for human being we are happy to improve the sector”- mentioned Mr. Peter Mikula.

“With the signing of this agreement, Switzerland makes a significant contribution to the development of the national economy and we hope that our close cooperation will continue."- said the Minister.

Switzerland has been active in Tajikistan since 1993, when it delivered humanitarian aid during the civil war. Since opening its diplomatic representation in 1999, the Government of Switzerland has provided more than US$200 million in programs that support Tajikistan’s development and is one of the major donors in the country.

Today, virtually no product is safe from being illegally copied. For example, cellphone batteries, auto-parts, airbags, cigarettes, medicines and toys all constitute an immediate high risk for health and safety. Recent cases registered in Tajikistan include skin diseases of children caused by using fake shampoo as well as car accidents due to the use of counterfeited ones.

Ms. Sylvie Valloton, a Customs Expert from the Swiss Directorate General of Customs mentored her Tajik counterparts on the national and international legislation of intellectual property rights such as trademarks, designs, denominations of origin, patents and copyrights. The training also presented best practices in distinguishing a fake from an original product in an interactive way, and created a favorable environment for the sharing of experiences and mutual learning. As a result, 44 Tajik Custom officers have enhanced their knowledge and skills in order to combat counterfeiting and piracy at the border.

Supporting counterfeit products is hindering local economic development and investment in creative and innovative industries. Know-how exchange between Tajikistan and Switzerland is helping to develop effective practices in targeting this problem. 

The Tajik-Swiss Intellectual Property Project is a three-year project funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by IPI since 2013. It aims to strengthen the Tajik intellectual property rights system in order to lead to higher competitiveness, more value added to Tajik products, and a positive impact on Tajikistan’s social and economic development following the country’s recent accession to the World Trade Organization.