DUSHANBE, 25.10.2019 (NIAT Khovar) – A session of the Council on Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), as well as meeting of the delegation of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqi Zavqizoda with the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and American investors were held on October 21-22 in Washington.

Zavqizoda highly ranked the mutually beneficial cooperation of the United States and Central Asian countries and provided information on the goals and priorities of the country’s strategic documents, in particular on Tajikistan’s participation in TIFA, accelerating export development, facilitation of trade procedures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and cooperation with TIFA member countries.

The parties discussed issues on improving trade and economic relations between Tajikistan and the US, including completed work on implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, prevention of the country’s re-inclusion in the “Special 301 Report” checklist, Tajikistan’s exclusion from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, usage of the Generalized System of Preferences GSP and increasing technical assistance from the US.

On October 22, the country’s delegation took part in the high-level panel “Economic Cooperation between the USA and Central Asian Countries” of the Uzbekistan and USA Annual Forum, during which the delegation provided answers to questions by US investors about investment opportunities in Tajikistan, digital economy and ways to develop trade and investment with the US.

It was noted that the government of Tajikistan considers the improvement of economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries as a priority issue of the country’s foreign policy, which proceeds from friendly relations and kind initiatives of the heads of states.

A meeting of the TIFA Council is held annually. The meeting is focused on the issues relating to the current situation and forecasts of economic cooperation, including trade facilitation, regional trade development, the “Special 301 Report” checklist, intellectual property rights, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and digital commerce.