DUSHANBE, April 1, 2010, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon who is currently on his first state visit to Singapore, since both countries established diplomatic relations 15 years ago, on March 31 attended the Tajikistan-Singapore Business Forum, according to Tajik presidential press service.
Speaking at the forum, Tajik leader, in particular, noted that Tajikistan was rich in all types of high-quality strategic and natural resources such as fresh water, gold and silver as well as precious stones deposits and fertile lands. Tajikistan produces aluminum, cotton, cheap electricity, leathers, wools, fruits and vegetables. The republic also has necessary infrastructure and skilled manpower, President Rahmon said, adding that Tajikistan has also laid legal foundation and created conditions necessary for investment activity.
Rahmon called on entrepreneurs of the two countries to establish bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.
The forum resulted in singing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government of Tajikistan and Singapore’s Nobel Group on financing of construction of hydropower plants in Tajikistan and cooperation in the fields of mining and non-ferrous metallurgy, the presidential press service said.
After the forum, President Rahmon and Nobel Group CEO discussed ways to implement the signed MoU and prospects of bilateral cooperation.
Noble is a market leader in managing the global supply chain of agricultural, industrial and energy products. It hands on approach to business has seen it grow to become a world leader in supply chain management in just 20 years. The company specializes in the origination and delivery of strategic raw materials, adding value at each stage of the supply chain. The Group is also involved in technical ship management, trade finance and coal mining running soybean crushing plants and sugar/ethanol mills in Brazil, amongst others. Its global network encompasses more than 150 office and plant locations in 38 countries across five continents.
Yesterday, President Rahmon also visited the NEWWater Visitor Center.
We will recall that Emomali Rahmon arrived in Singapore for a state visit at the invitation of the Singapore President S R Nathan on March 30. This is the first state visit of Tajik president to Singapore and it also marks the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Tajikistan.
Channel News Asia reports Singapore and Tajikistan have agreed to explore further avenues to deepen bilateral economic ties. On March 30, Rahmon had a meeting with President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The leaders expressed their support for more bilateral trade and investment, and to have more exchanges at the official level. Both countries also agreed to cooperate to fight terrorism and other cross-border crimes.
President Rahmon was also hosted to a state dinner at the Istana on Wednesday evening. In his speech, President Nathan said Singapore can serve as a platform for Tajikistan to engage the Southeast Asian region, and said this was an opportunity he hoped the private sector will take advantage of. He also noted that so far, over 20 Tajik officials have attended training programs in Singapore under the Singapore Cooperation Program, and invited more to do the same.
After Singapore, President Rahmon ill pay a state visit to Brunei Darussalam. Brunei media report Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will make a two-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam beginning Saturday, April 3, 2010. Arches and flags of both countries have been erected along the Hassanal Bolkiah highway and at Mile I in Jln Tutong.
Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, State Adviser to the President for International Affairs Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Farrukh Hamraliyev, Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan Sharif Rahimzoda, Chairman of the State Committee for Investments and State-owned Property Management Davlatali Saidov, MP Safarali Gulov and a large group of Tajik entrepreneurs are accompanying the president on his visits to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
