DUSHANBE, October 27, Asia-Plus – The second meeting of Tajik-Pakistani commission for economic and trade cooperation will be held in Dushanbe on October 29, according to the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MET).
A Pakistani delegation led Energy and Water Minister Liaqat Ali Jatoi arrived in Tajikistan yesterday. During its stay in Dushanbe the Pakistani delegation is scheduled to hold a number of meetings with senior representatives from relevant Tajik ministries and organizations, according to the source.
Today, working groups of the two countries gathered at the Ministry of Economy and Trade to consider issues related to the upcoming session of the Tajik-Pakistani economic commission. “The second session of the commission is expected to focus on issues related to bilateral trade, expanding cooperation in the fields such development of small and medium-sized enterprises, industry, land reclamation and water resources, finance and banking system, transportation, telecommunications, etc.
According to the source, the Tajik sides plans to offer Pakistan to invest in modernization of a number of textiles and industrial enterprises in Tajikistan.
“As far as the energy sector is concerned, Tajikistan intends to offer Pakistan to participate in the completion of constructing the Roghun hydroelectric power station,” the source stressed.
Besides, the parties will also consider Pakistan’s proposal to set up a branch of Pakistan national bank in Tajikistan, as well as launch regular flights from Kabul to Dushanbe, which would be operated by Pakistani International Airlines (PIA).
According to Tajik State Committee for Statistics, Пcompared to January-September 2005 trade between Tajikistan and Pakistan over the first nine months of this year has decreased by 71 percent and amounted to some 296,000 somonis.
