DUSHANBE, May 24, Asia-Plus – State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan were a major topic of a May 23 business forum of Tajik and Afghan entrepreneurs hosted by Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).
Speaking at the conference, Mohsen Amiri, the deputy head of Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Afghan businessmen had familiarized themselves with conditions and opportunities of investing in Tajikistan’s economy and are ready to hear proposals of the Tajik side.
According to him, both countries being rich in natural resources could cooperate in development and processing of mineral resources. “We have enough funds for implementation of such projects and Tajikistan has scientific-technical infrastructure,” Amiri said.
He also outlined carpet weaving as one of priorities of economic cooperation between the two countries. “Afghanistan is among world’s leaders in carpet weaving,” Amiri said.
He also offered to consider the possibility of cooperation in processing fruits and vegetables. “Both countries are rich in fruits and Tajikistan has an appropriate infrastructure, including canneries, which should just be modernized, and we, for our part, could invest funds,” Amiri said, noting that such cooperation could help both countries get in Russian and world markets.
Besides, transportation opportunities of the two countries could also pave the way for further expansion of cooperation between them, according to him. “Afghan entrepreneurs could get access to markets of Eastern Europe and China via Tajikistan, while Tajik businessmen may get access to markets in South Asia via us,” Amiri stressed.
He also spoke for launching joint ventures and invited Tajik entrepreneurs to run their businesses in Afghanistan.
