DUSHANBE, November 15, 2012, Asia-Plus — Next year when Poland awards small grants it will give priority to Tajikistan.
Mr. Slawomir Strzalkowski, First Counselor, Poland’s Embassy in Tashkent, Head of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Department, remarked this here at a press conference on November 14.
According to him, a noticeable decrease in trade turnover between Poland and Tajikistan that has been observed over the past two years evokes concern of Polish diplomats.
“Small grants will be awarded for tackling social problems and developing small and medium-sized enterprises in the regions of Tajikistan. Poland has been actively participating in the project aimed at strengthening fruit-and-vegetable growing sector in Tajikistan for the purpose of ensuring food security and creating new jobs,” Mr. Strzalkowski noted.
Last year, a two-way trade between Poland and Tajikistan amounted to only 8.83 million U.S. dollars, which is 70 percent less than in 2010.
“There are many reasons for this, and one of them is export customs duties that have been imposed after the founding of the Customs Union. Since Polish commodities have been coming to Tajikistan’s market by means of re-export through Russia, they have become unprofitable for Tajikistan,” Polish diplomat said.
Besides, sugar from China has firmly taken place of Polish sugar, which had been exported to Tajikistan for many years, Strzalkowski added.
He noted that Poland was ready to cooperate with Tajikistan in all fields and launch joint ventures. Polish diplomat outlines sectors like agriculture, textile industry, energy and minerals, as areas of which could drive the bilateral trade between Poland and Tajikistan.
“Thus, Geology Enterprise in Warsaw is ready to cooperate with Tajik colleagues in exploring minerals in Tajikistan and Polish company, Grupa Consus, offers cooperation in implementing projects aimed at enhancing power efficiency in industry and developing renewable energy resources in Tajikistan,” Strzalkowski said.
According to data of the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, trade between Tajikistan and Poland in January-August 2012 has valued at 6.96 million U.S. dollars, which is 21 percent more than in the same period last year.
