DUSHANBE, September 29, 2015, Asia-Plus — Tajik President participated in the High level Forum of Land Locked Developing Countries that took place in New York on September 28, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
In a statement delivered at the Forum, Rahmon noted that Tajikistan is fully committed to the decisions and recommendations of the Vienna Program of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for 2014-2024. HE expressed confidence that the implementation of the plan of action for the Decade adopted by the UNGA, with its six priority areas, will contribute to the structural transformation of our economy and strengthening of it infrastructure, and also will promote regional cooperation, in terms of integration.
“Since the adoption of APoA Tajikistan has paid special attention to the promotion of regional trade, and has achieved remarkable results in improving its transport system and implementing a special approach towards the issue of transit and communication potentials.
“To simplify custom rules and regulations the system of “Single Window” was introduced and the Apostill Treaty was ratified. We also set up four active Free Economic Zones in order to encourage investors, and implement the National program on promoting trade and transportation.
“Moreover, Tajikistan hosted a number of international and regional events, among them: the 10th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of the International Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA); High Level International Conference on the development of transit potential of Central Asia for the period until 2023; and the 1st Investment Forum on the Implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for cooperation with the countries of Central Asia.”
The above events were focused on creation of an environment conducive to transit, improvement of transport safety, environmental protection, application of flexible tariff policy and trade promotion, Tajik leader noted.
According to him, the negotiations between the representatives of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan on a Trilateral Trade Transit Agreement (PATTA) have entered its concluding stage.
Despite certain progress, LLDCs still have to deal with multifaceted challenges that interfere with their long-term development, Rahmon said, noting that every challenge comes with opportunities.
“Our current challenges compel the country, through the use of alternative means, to focus its efforts on the following strategic areas: ensuring energy and food security, and overcoming communication deadlock.”
Development of such economic branched of priority as transport and energy sectors in Tajikistan can have a multidimentional effect on the entire economy of Tajikistan, Rahmon stressed. Integrated development of hydro-energy and other energy sectors, allows not only to sustain and increase efficiency of the energy system, but also to reduce detrimental emissions, the major issue in addressing climate change impact. Tajikistan has been developing its energy potential on the basis of integrated development of renewable sources. The country has started construction of small-, medium – and large scale hydropower stations, including those of regional significance. In addition, exploration of wind and solar energy has reached the stage of practical implementation. It needs to note that all these projects have been implemented on a transparent basis, with due consideration to social, economic and ecological aspects of sustainable development of modern energy sector.
Construction of power plants and transmission lines for the purpose of sustainable development contributes to the improvement of living standards not only of the population of Tajikistan, but also of the entire region. In this regard, the construction of an energy bridge between Central Asia and South Asia (CASA-1000), aimed at promoting export of electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the energy markets of Afghanistan and Pakistan becomes of special significance. There is no doubt that the implementation of this project as an engine of trade facilitation, will increase industrial production and ensure energy security in the both regions, Rahmon said.
