"We believe that the creation of workplaces in some rather poor countries in Central Asia is the international community and Russia’s contribution to stabilization of the situation in the whole region, in overcoming poverty, preventing the criminalization of society and so on," Vladimir Voronkov told RIA Novosti.
The issue of creating employment in the countries in question is crucial as they are located close to Afghanistan, which has recently seen a surge in opium production, with narcotics often trafficked through Central Asia to European customers.
Voronkov pointed out that Russia voluntarily donates $2.6 million to the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) annually. Projects in Kyrgyzstan and Armenia have already been completed using this funding, while Moscow and Beijing launched a project last year to assist Tajikistan’s carpet weaving and textile sector.
Russia has been donating funds to UNIDO since 2009.
