TURKMENISTAN LEADS IN TERMS OF GROWTH OF TRADE WITH TAJIKISTAN

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan reports an increase in trade with the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2021, noting that out of 11 partner countries, growth is observed in eight. At the same time, trade with Turkmenistan increased 2.7 times, with Uzbekistan - by 32%, and with Kazakhstan - by 30.6%.

The expansion and qualitative development of trade and economic ties with Tajikistan was one of the key topics of the negotiations held in August 2021 between President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Emomali Rahmon. Outlining promising areas for further joint work to realize the potential in this area, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan is ready to significantly expand cooperation with Tajikistan in the field of trade in products of the fuel and energy complex, construction and chemical industries, food, textile, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture. economy, etc. The willingness of the two friendly states to bring trade and economic ties to a qualitatively new level was recorded in the documents signed at the negotiations, including: Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan; The program of trade and economic cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021–2023; Agreement between the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of the Republic of Tajikistan on the establishment of trading houses in Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan; "Roadmap" to increase trade between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022–2023; Agreement on the establishment of a Business Council between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The transfer of these documents into a practical plane was discussed in November by the head of the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and his Tajik counterpart Sirojidin Mukhriddin. The parties noted an increase in the volume of mutual trade and expressed mutual readiness to expand and diversify mutual trade in the near future. The meeting discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to Turkmenistan, and the intensification of bilateral cooperation in such important areas as the economy, trade, the fuel and energy sector, transport and logistics, agriculture, water management, light and the processing industry.