Dushanbe — There are vast and multiple opportunities to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between Qatar and Tajikistan, said Kodirzoda Sadi Sanginmurod, Chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of Tajikistan.
Sanginmurod expressed optimism about the recent visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, stating it provided a further boost to bilateral cooperation across various sectors. He underlined the importance of high-level meetings as a platform to discuss areas of mutual interest.
“High-level meetings and talks testify to the desire of the two sides to compare notes on all spectrums of issues of mutual significance,” he said.
Highlighting potential areas of investment, Sanginmurod proposed that Qatar could help Tajikistan process its raw materials into high-value end products for export. “Undoubtedly, since both countries have opportunities to establish mutually beneficial cooperation by using Qatar’s investments to process Tajik raw materials and produce high value-added end products for export. One of the strategic goals in Tajikistan is the implementation of accelerated industrialization,” he added.
He emphasized Tajikistan’s strategic goal of accelerated industrialization and mentioned the significant steps taken towards this, including the adoption of key programs in every industry sector.
“Large-scale work has been launched and important programs have been adopted for each area of industry. These measures provide an opportunity to attract foreign investment for the implementation of major investment projects and achieve the goals set for the accelerated industrialization of the country,” Sanginmurod added.
The Chairman also suggested promising areas for collaboration between Qatari and Tajik financial and investment circles. These include joint ventures in light and textile industries, mining, production of building materials, and pharmaceuticals based on Tajik raw materials. Agricultural processing and other burgeoning industries are also open for Qatari investment.
Sanginmurod pointed out that adhering to international standards in processing local products would enable Tajikistan to supply environmentally friendly goods to regional and international markets, thereby contributing to food security. He also saw potential in renewable energy projects and the establishment of Qatari bank branches to develop Islamic banking in Tajikistan.
He underscored the significance of combining Qatari investments with Tajik potential, given that Qatar’s sovereign investment fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), is already investing globally in infrastructure and energy projects.
Sanginmurod expressed a desire to use Qatari investment for developing Tajikistan’s tourism infrastructure, including mountain tourism, and for creating conditions favorable to exporting clean drinking water to Qatar.
“We intend to attract Qatari investments for the development of tourism infrastructure, including mountain tourism, as well as the creation of favorable conditions for the export of clean drinking water to Qatar,” he said.
Referencing an Agreement on Mutual Protection and Investment Promotion signed between the two countries in 2011, Sanginmurod noted the successful implementation of several projects, including a residential and business complex and a modern mosque in Dushanbe.
He concluded his interview by pledging full support for Qatari investment initiatives and announcing plans for the next Tajik-Qatari investment forum slated for later this year.