DUSHANBE, 17.04.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – Tajikistan and Russia’s Joint 7th Conference on Interregional Cooperation took place on April 16-17 in Moscow as part of the official two-day visit of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to Russia.

Representatives of state authorities, organizations and business circles of both countries were also in attendance, reports Khovar’s correspondent.

This conference contributes to the implementation of many mutually beneficial projects and initiatives in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, culture and education. It also provides an open and constructive dialogue on a variety of issues relating to bilateral and regional agenda.

The conference included forums, round tables, business meetings and presentations.

The plenary session of the conference opened with the reading of the welcoming messages of the President Emomali Rahmon and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The session included the participation of the Tajik delegation, including the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, the Minister of Agriculture Izatullo Sattori, the Minister of Education and Science Nuriddin Said, the Chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management Farrukh Hamralizoda, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies Zarobiddin Faizullozoda, the Chairman of the Sughd Province Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, the Minister of Culture Shamsiddin Orumbekzoda, the Chairman of the Committee for Tourism Development under the government of Tajikistan Numon Abdugafforzoda, as well as the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Tojiddin Jurazoda and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TALCO Sherali Kabir.

Round table discussions included the cooperation in agriculture, trade and investment, industry and infrastructure, humanitarian cooperation, diversification of mutual deliveries of agricultural products, the supply of Russian-made agricultural equipment, the development of the food industry in Tajikistan, the creation of a network of wholesale distribution centers, the digital integration of state and municipal management, and the creation of cooperative chains between Tajik and Russian enterprises.

A set of agreements were signed on the sidelines of the conference, including a memorandum of cooperation and understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan and VEB Engineering LLC, and one between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan and VEB Engineering LLC.   An agreement on cooperation was likewise signed between the Export Agency under the government of Tajikistan and the Russian Export Center JSC in the field of comprehensive support for Tajik-Russian foreign economic projects.

The conference was preceded by a Tajik-Russian youth forum called A Common Path to the Economy of the Future, during which cooperation in the areas of youth tourism and youth entrepreneurship were discussed.

Following the forum, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Committee for Youth Affairs and Sports under the government of Tajikistan and the Russian Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. An agreement on expanding cooperation was also signed between the public organization Youth Union of Tajikistan and the Russian Youth Union.