Tajikistan hosted the international forum “Bridge of Trust and Development” on October 25, bringing together high-level delegations from Tajikistan and Iran to deepen cooperation in the financial sector and explore joint initiatives in sustainable and Islamic finance.
The Tajik Ministry of Finance (MoF)’s press center says the forum, held in Dushanbe, featured participation from the Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran (SEO), senior government officials, financial regulators, banking and insurance representatives, and international experts. It marked a new chapter in bilateral economic relations between the two countries.
The event was officially opened by Tajikistan’s Minister of Finance, Faiziddin Qahhorzoda, and Chairman of the SEO, Dr. Hojatollah Seyedi. In his opening remarks, Minister Qahhorzoda highlighted the visit by the Iranian delegation as a key milestone in strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing the capacity of Tajikistan’s financial institutions.
“Sharing expertise with Iran’s Securities and Exchange Organization will accelerate the adoption of modern financial tools, including Islamic and green finance mechanisms, and improve our supervisory practices,” Qahhorzoda noted.
The forum’s agenda featured training workshops and expert-led sessions on a range of topics, including Iran’s capital markets, Islamic finance, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, green finance, and corporate governance in emerging markets. It also included panel discussions involving regulators, banks, insurers, and potential securities issuers.
A key highlight of the event was the introduction of B2B (business-to-business) and G2B (government-to-business) networking formats aimed at building practical connections and facilitating knowledge exchange.
One of the forum’s major outcomes was Tajikistan’s first international certification of financial market professionals. More than 80 participants — including representatives from government institutions, the National Bank of Tajikistan, the banking and insurance sectors, and major local companies — received official certification, signaling a significant step toward the professionalization of the country’s financial sector.
Participants recommended adapting Islamic financial instruments and ESG initiatives to local conditions in Tajikistan. Both sides agreed to establish a working group to develop pilot projects and support the digitalization of trading infrastructure.
They also discussed the potential for regular expert exchanges and mutual recognition of professional qualifications between regulatory bodies in the two countries.
According to organizers, the forum contributed significantly to strengthening international cooperation, attracting long-term sustainable investment, and advancing the development of Tajikistan’s economy.
“The ‘Bridge of Trust and Development’ forum has proven to be an effective platform for knowledge exchange and practical steps toward the modernization of Tajikistan’s financial infrastructure,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.
Later the same day, Minister Qahhorzoda held bilateral talks with Dr. Seyedi to review progress under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan and Iran’s SEO, according to the Tajik Finance Ministry’s press center.
Discussions included expanding Islamic and green finance, promoting corporate governance, supporting IPOs and infrastructure bonds, and helping Tajik companies access both domestic and international capital markets.
