DUSHANBE
Pakistan and Tajikistan have agreed on a three-year roadmap to enhance bilateral trade to 200 million US dollars during the 8th Session of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation held in Dushanbe.
The meeting was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Jum’a Daler Shofaqir.
Representatives from various Pakistani ministries, including Economic Affairs, Commerce, National Food Security, Health, Industries, Power, Petroleum and the State Bank of Pakistan, participated in the session alongside relevant Tajik institutions.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in energy, trade, industry, health, transport, agriculture, education, science and technology, media, tourism, sports and culture.
Both countries agreed to organize trade delegations, business-to-business meetings and online business interactions to strengthen commercial ties. They also agreed to exchange information on tariffs, regulations and potential investment sectors.
The Joint Commission welcomed the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding between Tajikistan’s Agency for Export and Pakistan’s Trade Development Authority. The two sides also discussed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and agreed to continue efforts for its early finalization.
Pakistan and Tajikistan highly appreciated progress on the CASA-1000 project and reaffirmed participation in the Joint Working Group meeting scheduled in Istanbul later this month to resolve remaining commercial and operational issues.
The Tajik side expressed interest in cooperation with Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited in exploration and production activities in Tajikistan. Both countries also endorsed technical training opportunities for Tajik energy professionals through Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Training Institute.
In agriculture, the two sides agreed to increase cooperation in trade, exchange information on high-potential products and collaborate on high-yield crop varieties, including cotton, wheat, potatoes and vegetables.
The session also discussed enhanced cooperation in education, science and technology, including partnerships between universities and research institutions. Joint research projects in water resources, hydropower, ecology and agriculture were also encouraged.
During the visit, Minister Leghari called on Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda and conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s leadership. The two sides emphasized the importance of sustainable trade routes, regional connectivity, visa facilitation and direct flights between the two countries.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, tourism and connectivity through more frequent Joint Commission meetings.
