A Belarusian-Tajik business forum that took place in Dushanbe on October 11-12 has resulted in signing of almost US$50 million worth of contracts.
According to Belarusian news agency BelTA, senior representatives of 73 Belarusian companies participated in the forum. Almost half of them displayed their products at the exhibition, dubbed Made in Belarus.
Mikhail Myatlikov, Head of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said on the sidelines of the business forum that practically all sectors of the economy were presented at the forum, including metallurgy, food, woodworking, light industry.
“For many, this is the first meeting with their partners. And the search for partners that we carry out with colleagues, I think will produce results in the future,” Myatlikov said.
BelTA reported that the Belarusian side will send experts to Tajikistan to study the possibility of launching joint ventures in Tajikistan.
Thus, Belarusian specialists study the possibility of launching leather processing joint ventures in Tajikistan.
Belarusian specialists also consider it worthwhile to invest in cotton ginning factories in Tajikistan.
Belarus imports from Tajikistan cotton and cotton yarn. This year, Belarus has reportedly imported US$5 million worth of cotton from Tajikistan.
Bellegrom (Belarus light industry) top manager, Ms. Tatiana Lugina, says Belarus exports textile products – fabrics of the Mogoteks enterprise – to Tajikistan.
“Over the first six months of this year, Belarus has already shipped products for a significant amount to Tajikistan, and contract has been signed for the supply of fabrics in 2023,” Ms. Lugina was cited as saying.
Meanwhile, BelTA cited Belarusian Ambassador to Tajikistan Viktor Denisenko as saying on October 11 that Belarus and Tajikistan are setting up joint productions of dairy products and carpets.
“Another enterprise that will be set up is in the light industry. We are setting up a joint venture in Khujand to produce Vitebsk carpets,” said Viktor Denisenko.
We are preparing to open a joint venture with Minsk Dairy Plant in Tajikistan. “I hope we will launch this project by the end of the year,” said the ambassador.
BelTA reported on October 12 that earlier, a Tajik-Belarusian elevator making company had been established in Khujand, the capital of Tajik northern province of Sughd. However, it has not yet reached its full capacity. A large state order is needed to load it. The parties have been discussing this issue for a long time.
Belarusian tractors are already successfully produced in Hisor. The embassy considers this enterprise to be the most promising in Central Asia, because the range of machines produced there expands every year and they are in demand both in the domestic and neighboring markets.
“We have both the production base and the permanent exhibition expanded. I am sure it is a good example for our equipment manufacturers,” the diplomat said.
The same company also assembles harvesters specially designed by Gomselmash for Tajik farmers. According to the ambassador, plans are in place to supply 55 vehicles to Afghanistan through Tajikistan.
Belarusian IT companies also cooperate with Tajikistan. BelTA said they plan to take part in the Safe City program. There are great prospects in the construction industry, with the capital of Tajikistan being transformed.
“Construction fittings are very much in demand. Just a week ago, a Tajik delegation visited our metallurgical plant and signed good contracts,” Ambassador Denisenko said.
Recall, a package of documents was signed in Dushanbe on October 11 following official talks between Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon told reporters following the talks with his Belarusian counterpart, outlined sectors like agriculture, light, food, pharmaceutical, chemical and mining industries as areas, which could drive bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Belarus.
