Dushanbe, Tajikistan February 24, 2020 – Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Committee of Tourism Development of the Republic of Tajikistan celebrated the installation of road signs to help connect tourists to important cultural and historical sites in Tajikistan.  As Tajikistan seeks to expand its tourism industry, it is important to help tourists find Tajikistan’s many natural, cultural, and historical attractions.

The USAID Competitiveness, Trade, and Jobs Activity in Central Asia supported the installation of 21 road signs in English and Tajik languages in Zarafshon Valley for tourists from throughout the region and around the world.

Previously, independent travel in Panjakent was hampered by a lack of on-the-ground information indicating the location of sites, hiking routes, and customer-facing services.  Furthermore, tourism to the Zarafshan Valley is increasing following the recent reopening of the nearby border crossing with Uzbekistan.  Stakeholders highlighted the need for multi-lingual signage, at least on main highways, to indicate the presence of sites for visitors.

In his welcoming note, USAID Tajikistan Country Director, Mr. Paul Richardson, stated: “Today we are celebrating another milestone marking the development of the tourism sector in Tajikistan.  We appreciate the opportunity to support tourism in this beautiful country and thank you for the tremendous cooperation between USAID and the Committee of Tourism Development.”

Road signs increase the visibility of tourist destinations and improve tourists’ travel experience. USAID worked with the Committee of Tourism Development to design, produce, and install the signs.  The distinctive brown background was designed according to international tourist signage standards to help tourists locate interesting cultural and historical sites.

The newly-installed signs can be easily seen along the highway between Dushanbe and the Samarkand border crossing point. This initiative will promote longer tourist visits and more positive travel experiences.  Destinations indicated by the road signs include the ancient ruins of Sarazm and Sogdian Panjakent, the Seven Lakes, and Artuch Lodge – a center of climbing and hiking in the Fan mountains.

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The USAID Competitiveness, Trade, and Jobs Activity in Central Asia facilitates trade and employment in horticulture, tourism, transport, and logistics across the five Central Asian economies, with a $2.5 million budget specifically in Tajikistan.  By incentivizing firms to become more regionally competitive and by addressing cross-border impediments to trade, USAID helps to develop a more diverse and competitive private sector and generate export-driven growth.

USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. For more information, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional and USAID’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDCentralAsia.