DUSHANBE, 03.07.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – The sixth meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation of Tajikistan and Pakistan was held yesterday in Dushanbe.

The meeting which was headed by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Usmonali Usmonzoda and the Minister of Energy of Pakistan Omar Ayub Khan, focused on a wide range of issues relating to the expansion of cooperation between the two states, including trade and economic relations, investment, creating joint Tajik-Pakistani enterprises and job creation. The priority areas of cooperation for both countries are hydropower, light industry, construction, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and culture.

Several working groups have already been established to develop energy cooperation. Tajikistan possesses large hydropower resources, which are not only more than sufficient to meet domestic needs, but also can provide green energy to Southeast Asia.

“Our republic annually exports electricity to Afghanistan and plans to expand energy cooperation in the future. An important area of cooperation is the joint project for the construction of a regional power line CASA 1000, which is at an active stage of implementation,” said the Tajik side.

Omar Ayub Khan said that Tajikistan and Pakistan have many ideas, which require refinement and development.

“Today it is necessary to open direct flights between Tajikistan and Pakistan. The expansion of freight traffic will benefit not only the two states, but also the region as a whole. Issues relating to the development of the transport corridor did not go unmentioned,» noted Ayub Khan.

The Pakistani Minister also offered its seaports to the Tajik side for the development of trade.

It was noted that according to statistics, in the first quarter of 2019, the trade turnover between Tajikistan and Pakistan amounted to $11.3 million. The total volume of bilateral foreign trade with Pakistan for export was $1.7 million and for import $9.6 million, and the net weight in total foreign trade amounted to 1.2%.

The last meeting of the comission took place over two years ago.