Envoy invites Pakistani businessmen to invest in Tajikistan

Ambassador Naserdin says both countries should form joint ventures in tourism, textile

LAHORE: Tajikistan and Pakistan are abundant with trade and investment opportunities as mutual trade between the two countries is not ideal, said Ambassador of Tajikistan Ismatullo Naserdin.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the ambassador said that trade between the two countries is limited to a few commodities. He said that there are some political, transportation and communication-related challenges, but these can be tackled by collective functioning.

Naserdin added that direct flights between Tajikistan and Pakistan can save travelling time and help improve mutual trade.

While inviting Pakistani businessmen to invest in Tajikistan, the envoy apprised that Tajikistan has four special economic zones (SEZs) and one of them is near the Afghan border. He informed that these SEZs provide many facilities for investors.

Furthermore, he informed  the audience that Tajikistan also has the cheapest and sufficient electricity, adding that the textile sector of Tajikistan has vast opportunities for investors.

The ambassador said that last year almost 47,000 Pakistani tourists visited Azerbaijan but only a few thousand visited Tajikistan. He said that both countries should step into joint ventures, particularly in the tourism sector.

Also speaking at the occasion, LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that serious efforts are required to transform cordial and brotherly relations into two-way trade for enhancing economic prosperity in both the countries.

He said that Pakistan’s total trade with Tajikistan stands at $12.76 million. Pakistan’s exports to Tajikistan are around $9.41 million, while imports from Tajikistan are $3.35 million. “Currently, Pakistan’s exports to Tajikistan are dominated by sugar-related products, while the imports comprise primarily of cotton,” said Sheikh.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2020.

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