On October 14, the Dushanbe Invest-2025 International Investment Forum officially kicked off in Dushanbe, bringing together over 1,000 participants from dozens of countries around the world. The opening ceremony was attended by President Emomali Rahmon, who highlighted the significance of the forum in fostering international cooperation, attracting investments, and promoting the country’s sustainable economy.
On the sidelines of the forum, President Rahmon held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign delegations, discussing key areas of potential collaboration.
According to the press service of the President, Rahmon met with Tatiana Moltchan, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UNECE), to discuss future partnerships in areas such as the economy, ecology, infrastructure development, and digitalization. The discussions also focused on promoting Tajikistan’s initiatives, such as the “Dushanbe Water Process” and glacier preservation, as well as advancing the green economy and simplifying foreign trade procedures.
Additionally, the role of the SPECA (Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia) program in strengthening regional integration and addressing climate change was explored.
Trade and economic cooperation with Iran and Saudi Arabia
During a meeting with Seyed Ali Madani Zadeh, Minister of Finnace and Economic Affairs of Iran, both sides praised the growth of bilateral trade, which reached approximately US$380 million in 2024.
They expressed their commitment to reaching the US$500 million mark in the near future. The successful outcomes of previous visits by the leaders of both countries and the implementation of signed agreements were also acknowledged.
President Rakhmon further met with Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia. The main focus of their discussions was on joint projects in energy, agriculture, light and textile industries, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and mineral processing.
Rahmon reportedly noted the active role of the Saudi Development Fund in Tajikistan and highlighted the successful launch of direct flights between Dushanbe and Jeddah as a prime example of fruitful collaboration.
Strengthening ties with Qatar
Later in the day, the President met with Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, the State Minister for Foreign Trade of Qatar. The two leaders reviewed the progress on the implementation of 42 cooperation agreements across sectors, including investment, trade, transportation, healthcare, tourism, and culture.
The importance of securing grants and concessional loans from Qatari financial institutions, especially for energy projects, was emphasized.
Both parties expressed their willingness to create a Joint Economic and Investment Fund and to exchange expertise in Islamic banking.
The Dushanbe Invest-2025 Forum serves as a vital platform for international economic collaboration and investment opportunities in Tajikistan. With the involvement of key global players, the event is set to enhance Tajikistan’s position as a growing hub for innovation, sustainable development, and foreign partnerships.
