The International Investment Forum “Digitalization of Free Economic Zones in the Context of Eurasian Countries” was held Aug. 27 in Guliston, Sughd region, according to Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

The forum was organized by the ministry, jointly with the executive body of state authority of Sughd region and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization to provide an international platform for discussing the role of digital technologies in improving the efficiency of free economic zones, integrating them into global value chains and creating a sustainable investment environment.

Representatives of government agencies, free economic zones in Tajikistan and other countries, international and financial organizations, domestic and foreign investors, manufacturing, trading and logistics companies, and digital platform developers attended the forum.

Participants emphasized the role of free economic zones in attracting investment, developing industry, creating jobs and expanding Tajikistan’s exports.

As of July 1, 2026, 123 domestic and foreign companies were registered in Tajikistan’s five free economic zones. Since the zones began operating, they have attracted about 2.7 billion somoni ($285 million) in investment and created 2,196 jobs, while industrial output has exceeded 4 billion somoni.

The range of products manufactured in the free economic zones has expanded from 18 items in 2015 to more than 100 in 2025. Products are exported to Central Asian markets, Germany, Iraq, Turkey, Russia and other countries.

As part of the forum, a signing ceremony was held for cooperation agreements, memorandums of understanding and other partnership documents. A total of 12 cooperation documents valued at more than 966 million somoni were signed.