BAKU /Trend/ – Relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are at a high level.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Azerbaijan Ilhom Abdurahmon said this in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“I would like to confidently note that thanks to the wise policies of our respected leaders and the competent building of bilateral relations, currently the interaction between our countries on political, diplomatic, trade, economic and cultural-humanitarian issues is at a fairly high level and all development issues that have arisen bilateral cooperation always finds solutions in a friendly manner,” the ambassador emphasized.
According to him, there are very good prospects in the fields of transport, energy, and tourism. In all areas, both countries are aimed at active cooperation and achieving significant results.
He noted that the priority areas of economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are non-ferrous metallurgy, agriculture, energy, light industry, transport, communications and the financial sector.
Currently, countries are working on many projects of an economic nature, covering the energy sector, the oil industry and the aluminum industry.
“We are ready to consider the possibility of participation of Azerbaijani companies in the implementation of joint projects in the industrial sector, mining and mineral processing industries, aluminum, hydropower, oil and gas sectors, as well as in the field of construction, transport, telecommunications and in the agricultural sector,” said Ilhom Abdurahmon.
The development of joint programs in the field of innovative technologies, according to him, can also be a promising area of bilateral cooperation.
“Taking into account Azerbaijan’s extensive experience in implementing the e-government system, I believe that it is advisable for the relevant departments of Tajikistan to establish interaction with the Azerbaijani side in order to implement this system in Tajikistan,” the ambassador added.
He said that the creation of joint ventures for processing agricultural products in Tajikistan also seems very fruitful.
The Ambassador noted that in Tajikistan there are great opportunities for the development of industrial relations in the chemical and mining industries, the production of building materials, significant reserves for the processing of primary aluminum, cotton fiber, precious and semi-precious stones and metals.
In particular, during a recent visit by the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, Sherali Kabir, to the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, cooperation with Azerbaijan in the development of the aluminum industry, as well as the supply of petroleum coke to Tajikistan, was discussed.
He also added that Tajikistan is interested in the issue of creating joint ventures for the processing of wool, thread, woolen fabric and garments, as well as for the production of carpets.
Ilhom Abdurahmon noted that Tajikistan is interested in investments from Azerbaijan and the joint implementation of various economic projects in the hydropower field, in the construction of small and large hydroelectric power stations on mutually beneficial terms.
“In this context, I would like to especially emphasize the importance of Tajikistan’s water and energy programs for the development of the entire Central Asian region. It is well known that Tajikistan is rich in water and energy resources, of which only a small share is currently used. Meanwhile, the demand for electricity region and surrounding countries are growing year by year,” the ambassador said.
According to him, deepening trade, economic and investment ties is a priority area of bilateral cooperation.
“In order to bring Tajik-Azerbaijani relations to a qualitatively new level, effective interaction in the trade and economic direction is necessary, which was emphasized in the statements of the Presidents during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Tajikistan in April of this year. There are opportunities to expand cooperation in the areas of industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information technology, communications, transport, energy, tourism, etc.,” said Ilhom Abdurahmon.
He further noted that direct flights between Dushanbe and Baku have resumed this year.
“We believe that the resumption of flights will open up greater opportunities for the development of cooperation in the field of tourism and trade relations, including in the implementation of new investment projects,” the ambassador emphasized.
“Tajikistan has great tourism potential due to its rich culture and historical heritage, unique green nature, as well as incomparably high mountains and beautiful lakes that attract people who prefer active recreation,” he added.
According to him, Azerbaijan is of great interest to Tajik tourists due to its various cultural and natural attractions that attract travelers from all over the world.
“Our citizens are increasingly interested in making tourist trips to fraternal Azerbaijan and getting acquainted with the rich culture and unique nature of the Caucasus region. Tajikistan is actively interested in strengthening and developing cooperation in the field of tourism,” the ambassador said.
He noted that following the results of the 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan on July 7, 2023 in Baku, both parties agreed to implement specific projects in the field of strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the countries, creating joint industrial enterprises , including the supply of Azeri Light crude oil from Azerbaijan to the oil refinery in the Dangara FEZ for further production of petroleum products to meet the needs of Tajikistan.
The Ambassador said that on September 29-30, 2023, the International Investment Forum “Dushanbe 2023” will be held in the capital of Tajikistan (Dushanbe). The forum will be held at the initiative and with the participation of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
The purpose of the forum is to introduce the potential and favorable investment environment of Tajikistan, attract investment, establish and strengthen cooperation between domestic companies and foreign investors, as well as create opportunities for the development of digital business in order to implement the fourth strategic goal – accelerated industrialization of the country.
The Ambassador noted that he expects the active participation of Azerbaijani business circles in this forum.
Source: Trend News
