DUSHANBE, October 30, 2009, Asia-Plus — Tajik-Polish political and economic consultations will begin in Tajikistan next week, Slavomir Stsalkowski, the Counselor of Polish Embassy in Tajikistan, told reporters in Dushanbe yesterday.
According to him, Polish deputy foreign minister heading a dignified delegation, which includes representatives of ten large companies of Poland, will arrive in Tajikistan.
“A meeting of representatives from Polish and Tajik business communities will be held in Dushanbe on November 3 on sidelines of the consultations,” said Polish diplomat, “On November 4, Polish entrepreneurs will visit some regions of Tajikistan to get acquainted with work of their Tajik colleagues, study their needs and define how they could establish cooperation.”
Stsalkowski noted that a government-to-government agreement on economic cooperation between the two countries would be singed in Dushanbe. “It is the first step and a clear signal for Polish entrepreneurs that the governments support economic and trade relations between our countries,” he said.
Polish diplomat added that a Polish-Tajik intergovernmental commission would be established under the mentioned agreement. “Working groups will be set up within the commission,” said he, “I know that working groups for agriculture and mechanical engineering affairs will be set up. These groups will consider not only general issues, they will also consider issues related to attracting concrete firms and entrepreneurs.”
On the trade and economic relations between Poland and Tajikistan, Stsalkowski noted that last year, a trade between the two countries valued at only 26.3 million U.S. dollars, which was 12.7 percent fewer than in 2007. Over the first nine months of this year, the Polish-Tajik trade has decreased even more.
Only four enterprises with participation of Polish capital now operate in Tajikistan; one of them, is Polish construction company, Budmex, which opened its representative office here this year, Polish diplomat said.
“One of the main reasons for this situation is shortage of information about opportunities and needs of the two countries” Stsalkowski said, noting that the Polish Embassy is working on attracting Polish entrepreneurs for working in Tajikistan. “Tajikistan Market Guide” has been published in the Polish language for our businesspeople wanting to work in Tajikistan,” he added.
As it had been reported earlier, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer will pay a visit to Tajikistan in early November this year. During his stay in Tajikistan, the Polish deputy foreign minister will hold talks with senior representatives of the Tajik MFA and attend the Tajik-Polish business forum.
