On May 11, in Beijing, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, held a meeting with the heads and representatives of several companies from the People’s Republic of China.

He highlighted the favorable economic climate and extensive opportunities for entrepreneurship development in Tajikistan, as well as the consistent expansion and strengthening of trade and investment cooperation and business ties between the two countries.

He called China a reliable and key partner for Tajikistan in this process.

He also noted that significant trade turnover between our countries has been achieved.

President emphasized that Chinese investment in the Tajik economy has reached nearly USD 6 billion, of which approximately USD 3.5 billion is direct investment.

President Emomali Rahmon discussed in detail the measures Tajikistan is taking in the area of economic and structural reforms aimed at attracting investment and protecting the rights and interests of investors.

Specifically, it was pointed out that last year the country adopted a new version of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan «On Investments and Stimulation of Investment Activity.»

According to the Head of State, this regulatory act provides modern mechanisms for supporting investors, strengthens additional legal guarantees for capital protection, simplifies administrative procedures, and expands cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Speaking about other opportunities for attracting investment, Emomali Rahmon noted Tajikistan’s advantageous geographic location and the implementation of communications projects in the country, which facilitate the formation of new transport and energy corridors and the development of interregional ties.

It was underlined that last year, approximately USD 7 billion in foreign investment was attracted to the national economy, of which approximately USD 900 million, or 12.5 percent, came from the People’s Republic of China.

It was reported that over 300 public investment projects totaling approximately USD 13 billion are currently being implemented in Tajikistan, many of which involve Chinese companies as contractors. Currently, over 700 Chinese-invested companies operate in Tajikistan, spanning various sectors of the economy.

Speaking about the country’s advantages for attracting investment, the Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, noted that Tajikistan possesses enormous hydropower potential, ranking eighth in the world in this regard. Furthermore, the country has significant proven mineral reserves, including critical elements and strategically important metals such as gold, silver, copper, lithium, antimony, zinc, and tungsten.

The development of modern transport and economic corridors in Tajikistan, connecting China and South Asian countries with the Middle East, was identified as another important factor in developing cooperation with neighboring China.

Emomali Rahmon drew the attention of Chinese companies to the development of green economy, the efficient use of natural resources, and the introduction of modern technologies in Tajikistan.

In the industrial sector, the country’s extensive opportunities for establishing joint ventures in mineral extraction and processing, metallurgy, chemical, pharmaceutical and light industries were highlighted. The formation of complete value chains and the development of deep processing of raw materials within the country were identified as one of Tajikistan’s strategic goals.

The agro-industrial complex, including the production and export of environmentally friendly products, was named as one of the important areas for developing cooperation with Tajikistan.

During his speech, President Emomali Rahmon also drew the attention of Chinese companies to the need and importance of establishing logistics centers and processing facilities for agricultural products for export. In addition, Honorable Emomali Rahmon deliberated on digitalization, the development of artificial intelligence, and the activities of five free economic zones, which offer broad opportunities and favorable conditions for the successful development of entrepreneurship and trade.

Opportunities for developing the tourism industry were also highlighted, including the country’s unique natural environment, rich flora and fauna, historical monuments, and ancient cities, which create favorable conditions for ecotourism, mountain tourism, health tourism, and cultural tourism.

Concluding his speech, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, presented Tajikistan’s favorable economic climate and extensive opportunities, and called on Chinese companies to actively cooperate and participate in our country’s dynamically developing economy.

Following the speech by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, at a meeting with Chinese companies, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wentao, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ren Hongbin, and leaders and representatives of several major Chinese enterprises and companies with global influence expressed their opinions and useful proposals.

Following this meeting and negotiations, more than 50 cooperation documents were signed between Tajik and Chinese companies, aimed at attracting over USD 8 billion in investment to Tajikistan.

Some of these agreements were agreed upon, in particular, within the framework of the information technology forum entitled «Tajikistan-China Digital Business Connect».