DUSHANBE, September 15, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan seeks China’s investing in enhancement of its agrarian and energy sectors.
The third session of the Tajik-Chinese commission for trade and economic cooperation held in Dushanbe today focused on prospects of further expansion of economic cooperation between Tajikistan and China.
Participants at the meeting discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries in developing non-ferrous metallurgy (production and processing of aluminum), mining, the chemical industry, energy and irrigation, as well as the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Tajikistan.
The session, in particular, considered issues related to modernization of the Norak hydroelectric power station, reconstruction of the Golovnaya hydropower plant and rehabilitation of the thermal electric power station in Dushanbe as well as construction of a series of small power plants on the Zarafshon River and tin with participation Chinese investments.
The meeting also considered the possibility of China’s investing in rehabilitation of the road Qalai Khumb–Murgab in Gorno Badakhshan
The sides also agreed on cooperation in developing Tajikistan’s agrarian sector, launching joint units to process farm produce and jointly growing cotton by new technologies.
Participants at the meeting also discuss issues to Tajikistan’s joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) and singed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the governments of Tajikistan and China on conditions of admission of Tajikistan to the WTO.
During the meeting it was noted that China has provided to Tajikistan US$400,000 in direct investments since the beginning of the year, which is US$300,000 more compared to the same period of 2005. All in all, China has invested US$94 million in Tajikistan’s economy since diplomatic relations between the countries were established.
The Tajik-Chinese economic commission’s session in Dushanbe resulted in signing of a protocol on trade and economic cooperation. The next session of the Tajik-Chinese commission for trade and economic cooperation will be held in Beijing in 2008.
According Tajikistan’s State Committee for Statistics, compared to January-July of last year, trade between Tajikistan and China over the first seven months of 2006 increased by 44 percent and amounted to US $74.758 million. Tajikistan’s exports to China were estimated at US $5,430,600; imports from China were worth US $69,237,400.
