The Hindu Business Line : Tajikistan invites Indian industry

THE PRESIDENT of Tajikistan, Mr Emomali Sharifovich Rahmonov, flanked by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr E. Ahmad (left), and the Chairman, FICCI India-Tajikistan Council, Mr L.K. Malhotra, at a meeting with Indian businessmen in the Capital on Monday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Aug. 7

Hydropower, coal mining, lighting industry, food and agro-processing, construction materials and tourism are some of the areas where India and Tajikistan can engage profitably, said the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr Emomali S. Rahmonov.

Addressing a meeting organised jointly by industry chambers FICCI, CII and Assocham, he expressed dissatisfaction over the current level of economic engagement between the two countries. "The volume of trade has decreased in the last 3-4 years and it was less than $1.5 million in 2005," he said. The volume was $30 million in 2001 and 2002, he pointed out.

Mr Rahmonov said that an inter-governmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation had been established. The commission, he said, should serve to lay down policy direction for cooperation, improvement of the investment climate, overcome the impediments and bring the business communities of the two countries closer.

"Our country offers a great opportunity for tourism and we are interested in establishing modern infrastructure. We are also rich in minerals and precious metals," said Mr Rahmonov and invited Indian industry to set up by manufacturing facilities in Tajikistan.

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