DUSHANBE, 20.05.2022 (NIAT Khovar) – On May 18, in Brussels, a Tajik delegation consisting of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minestry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Finance, State Committee for Investment and State Property Management, Committee for Tourism Development, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a group of local entrepreneurs took part in an investment forum to attract foreign direct investment.

The forum was also attended by the heads and representatives of various institutions of the European Union, the European Parliament, and about 115 prominent entrepreneurs of the region who represent the textile and mining industries, information technology, including artificial intelligence, light and jewelry industry, agricultural sector, industrialization of animal husbandry, processing of decorative and building stones, and other spheres.

The Ambassador of Tajikistan to the Kingdom of Belgium, Permanent Representative to the European Union Erkinhon Rahmatullozoda expressed hope that the forum will serve to strengthen investment cooperation.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Muzaffar Husseinzoda and the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Teri Hakala wished the participants a good start and expressed the opinion that the improvement of the situation after the pandemic will serve as a good basis for the development and expansion of European investment cooperation with Tajikistan.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda and First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Investment and State Property Management Khurshed Mirzo spoke about the country’s investment climate, opportunities created in free economic zones, benefits for entrepreneurs investing in Tajikistan, and the implementation of projects with direct foreign investment.

The head of the Diplomatic World magazine Barbara Dietrich, and President of the Proptech European Association Dirk Paelin supplemented the materials presented by Tajik officials and urged those present to take the wide range of investment opportunities in Tajikistan seriously.

Deputy General Director of TALCO Management A. Nazarov and the Director of Investment Projects of Avesta Group B. Azonov presented figures and documents that attracted close attention of the participants.

In the third part of the forum, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Tourism Development Kamoliddin Muminzoda and representatives of five travel agencies of Tajikistan introduced the participants not only to the fabulous nature of the country and its sights, but also shared their experience of working with foreign partners by showing professionally made films.

Chairman of the Association of Tour Operators of Belgium Raes Gert, an employee of the Finnova Investment Company Pablo Barrios, Deputy Minister of Finance Sarvar Kurboniyon, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan Manzura Rustamova, and manager of a domestic artificial intelligence company Azizjon Azimi took an active part in the discussions, informing about concrete results of their contacts.

Following the forum, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TALCO joint-stock company N. Rajabzoda signed a memorandum of understanding with the head of the Swiss company Vast Resources PLC Andrew Prelea for a total investment of $20 million.

Domestic company Avesta Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Belgian company Picanol N.V. in textiles and clothing, and Amina signed a memorandum of understanding with the Belgian company Intreco to expand the production of feed additives, which has already been launched in Tajikistan.

The investment forum in Brussels marked the beginning of a series of events that will greatly contribute to the development of industry in Tajikistan and various sectors of the economy.